The Meeting House, Fall 2009

The Meeting House Fall 2009

Real-world advice. 6 Shakespeare with a twist. 9 Quaker lights. 10 Champion seasons. 18

The Friends Academy Magazine for Parents, Alumni & Friends

Friends Academy Board of Trustees, 2009-2010 Co-Presidents Thomas Hawkins ‘78 Scott Rechler Vice President Doris Pailet

Founded 1876

The Friends Academy Mission Founded in 1876 by Gideon Frost for “the children of Friends and those similarly sentimented,” Friends Academy is a Quaker, coeducational, independent, college preparatory school serving 750 students from age three through twelfth grade.

The school’s philosophy is based on the Quaker principles of integrity, simplicity, patience, moderation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and a

Treasurer Francis Ingrassia Secretary Nancy Tilton Board Members Carl Ashkin Cynthia Boults Debra Del Vecchio John R. Gambling ‘69 Albert Granger Elizabeth McCaul Ingrassia Susan Karches Brian Mullaney Victoria Moore Quesada

belief that the silence and simple ministry of the “gathered meeting” brings the presence of God into the midst of busy lives. Friends Academy is committed to developing a diverse community whose members value excellence in learning and growth in

Honorary Trustee John W. Oelsner Head of School William G. Morris Jr.

knowledge and skill, a genuine commitment to service and ethical action, and a realization that every life is to be explored, celebrated, and enjoyed in the spirit of the Religious Society of Friends.

The Meeting House Editorial Board, 2009-2010 Kathryn Abbe Alex Edwards-Bourdrez Hayley Kucich ‘03 Andrea Miller Carl Pozzi Patty Ziplow

Friends Academy Alumni Association, 2009-2010 President Peter Stein ’79 Vice President Penelope Wylie Mayer ‘75 Secretary Pamela Foschi Danbusky ‘97 Alumni Board Members Park Benjamin III ‘61 Barbara Shoen Brundige ‘63 Thomas Hawkins ‘78 Elisabeth Dillof Dreizen ‘78 Lydia Fichera ‘84 Kathryn Hawkins Schneider ‘86 Salwa Touma ‘01 President Emeritus Jim Greene ‘74

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Alumni Office Assistant Development Director for Alumni Relations & Giving Alex Edwards-Bourdrez

A Message From the Head of School William G. Morris Jr. Friends,

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elcome to the new Meeting House, which you will be receiving three times a year. Our Director of Communications, Andrea Miller, has redesigned and restructured many of our publications.

In the case of The Meeting House, she has created an engaging combination of timely reporting on news of the school and alumni, much of which formerly appeared in The Red and Black, with articles centered on a theme. In this issue, we write about nine alumni and students in “Quaker Lights,� who have brought our Quaker values to life in their own way. Throughout the issue, you will see pieces about alumni interwoven with updates about current students and happenings on our campus. Our goal is to give you a comprehensive and integrated view of the Friends Academy community in a lively and reader-friendly format. In the tradition of over 44 years of Meeting Houses, the updated magazine continues to capture the wonderful spirit of Friends Academy, especially in the ways that Quaker faith and practice inform the way we teach, learn, and live our lives.

As you view the photographs and read the articles, you will see that life at Friends is vital, dynamic and fun. We have had a terrific fall.

The stunning success of our Boys Soccer team in capturing a state title highlights what is possible when a group of dedicated young men join in common purpose. The willingness of our alumni to give back to Friends shows powerfully in our feature on the Middle School Career Day. And the stories of our featured alumni, John Gambling, Abbie Freedman, and Evette Beckett-Tuggle, demonstrate that individuals can make a difference when they let their lives speak from their Inner Light. It is affirming to know that our Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peaceful resolution of conflict, integrity, community, equality, and service leave their enduring imprint on those who are fortunate enough to spend time with the faculty at Friends. I hope that you enjoy our new Meeting House. Andrea and I both welcome your comments (bill_morris@fa.org andrea_miller@fa.org).

And if you are in the area, please stop by to visit. You always have a place at your school.

The Meeting House: A Gallery of Covers

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

From Down and Almost Out ... To On Top of the World.

Boys Varsity Soccer, New York State champions Marshall Lindner, the first FA coach to win two state titles {Please see season wrap-up, page 19.}

Photo courtesy of Gabby Moretto

inside Vol. 46, No. 1

Around the Quad. 4 All-school Chess Team advances to county finals.

Middle School students get some real-world advice.

Hunger Awareness Day grumbles stomachs but raises awareness.

Senior wins grand prize in French Embassy competition.

Lower School renovation underway.

A Halloween ensemble.

Fall Fair. 8 Take a look back at photos from our 2009 Fall Fair Homecoming and Alumni weekend.

The Arts. 9 Get ready for a brand-new twist on Shakespeare. Behind the scenes of the Theater Department’s Upper School fall production.

Feature Story. 10 From our rising student leaders to our distinguished alumnus, we bring you profiles of nine students and alumni who are making a difference in “Quaker Lights.”

Sports: Go FA! 18 State and conference champions, team sportsmanship awards... this fall season was packed with individual and team achievements.

Faculty Milestones. 26 Alumni News. 27 Class Notes. 29 In Memoriam. 38 The Meeting House Staff Editor Andrea Miller, Director of Communications and Marketing Writers Kathryn Abbe, Alex Edwards-Bourdrez, Andrea Miller Photographers Michael Damm, Amanda Fisk, Arnold Miller

on the cover

MUSIC IN MOVEMENT. Junior Meredith Wagner uses her acrobatic skills on the silks to bring sophomore Nick Pascucci’s cello piece to life at the Honors Concert on October 6.

The concert featured soloists in piano, voice, flute, cello, marimba and jazz.

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Around the Quad

All-school Chess Team wins county championship finals In march to championship and remarkable achievement against undefeated Chaminade and Shreiber, team benefits from multi-age players

Senior Molly Leon and her prize-winning sculpture of the Eiffel Tower. The French Embassy competition celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower.

Senior Molly Leon wins grand prize in French Embassy competition

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riends Academy senior Molly Leon won the 11th/12th grade French Embassy competition this year with her original and inspiring sculpture of the Eiffel Tower. Over 3,000 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut participated in this year’s French Embassy competition celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. Ten finalists were selected from each of the five age divisions to attend an awards ceremony on Friday, Nov. 13, at the French Embassy in Manhattan.

Leon received a $500 scholarship from the Embassy and the honor of having her sculpture on display at the home of a French ambassador.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

AMANDA FISK/friends academy

The all-school Chess Team (back row): seniors Ryan Rosmarin, Brandon Blau and Dustin Lee. Front row: 5th grader Peter Duke, 9th grader Will Duke and 4th grader Holly Ansel. Not pictured: 9th grader Jahan Khan and 7th grader Alex Pakh.

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he Friends Academy chess team, led by Brandon Blau, Jahan Khan, Will Duke, Ryan Rosmarin, and Dustin Lee – with the help of Middle Schooler Alex Pakh on board five – and two Lower Schoolers Peter Duke and Holly Ansel as back-up boards, took top county honors after beating two undefeated finalists in the Nassau County Interscholastic Chess Championship on January 7.

The multi-age team beat Chaminade in the first round winning boards three, four, five, and six, with a draw (tie) on board two. With barely five minutes to breathe between rounds, FA took on Shreiber in the final round and beat them 23.5 points to 21.5 points. A total of 23 points is needed for a win.

Chess coach Polly Duke, who is also World Languages and Cultures Dept.

Holly Ansel, 4th grade, practices her opening.

Head, was overwhelmed and proud of how the team played. "It was just an amazing story and experience," said Duke. "Every member of this team worked incredibly hard and I am really proud of them."

This championship victory capped a thrilling semi-final playoff round match against a very tough Portledge team in which Friends won or drew all but one of its six boards.

Around the Quad

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Halloween Ensemble!

AMANDA FISK/friends academy

Freshmen Kira Sanchez and Courtney Pozzi.

Hunger Awareness Day made stomachs grumble, but raised awareness

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n November 4, Middle and Upper School students substituted their lunches for a simple plate of pasta that illuminated the vast differences in economics and nutritional access between people across the globe. Sponsored by WATCH (We are The Community Helpers), students also donated money to the Long Island-based Interfaith Nutrition Network (the INN) and made sandwiches that were delivered to local shelters.

Lower School renovation underway and on target

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hortly after Fall Fair, construction began on the Lower School. The project, including renovated classrooms, science lab, art room, entryways and bathrooms, is scheduled to be completed by April. According to Lower School principal Deborah McCrimmon, once complete, the school will “match the top-notch curriculum currently being offered.�

The 2nd grade class walks the Halloween parade route, top, as 2nd grade teacher Rita Downs looks on (middle). Play Group teacher Roseanne Renaldo keeps the little ones connected (bottom).

Courtesy Arnold miller

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Around the Quad

Real-world advice

Alums inspire students at Middle School Career Day

ALEX EDWARDS-BOURDREZ/friends academy

Chef Alexandra Troy Beattie ‘79 shows a group of aspiring Middle School gourmets a few of her dishes and how her passion for cooking and business took hold at Friends Academy.

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en alumni, spanning four decades and representing such diverse professional pursuits as catering, architecture and orthopedic surgery, took a day off from their regular work to speak to groups of sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Middle School Career Day on November 20, 2009.

The project was developed and managed by Penelope Wylie Mayer '75, vice president of the Alumni Association and a Friends Academy parent. "Career Day was a perfect opportunity to introduce professional FA alums to the students. For most of these alums, Middle School is where they began their journey at Friends."

Mayer worked with Middle School Dean and 6th grade math teacher Allison Mullen and Middle School Principal Stephen Rubenacker to pull the event together.

Journalist Kimi Putillo '75

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

kicked off the day with a riveting slide-show presentation in the Dolan Center Theater to the entire Middle School. Puntillo explained how she harnessed her passion for long-distance running and her expertise in journalism to become the first woman to run a full marathon in each continent, including Antarctica. In addition to putting her name in the Guinness Book of World Records, the pursuit garnered writing assignments from The New York Times and other major publications.

Puntillo complemented photos of moments running along the

Great Wall of China, down the slopes of Mt. Everest and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace, with explanations of how she successfully pitched her stories to publications, as well as how she brought her recently published book, Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World, to fruition.

Following the opening session, each alum conducted three one-hour-long sessions to different groups of students, who had signed up for the sessions ahead of time. The presenters' detailed preparation, energy, and personal interest in the kids made each session relevant and memorable.

The alums represented professions such as music and entertainment, medicine, and journalism, as well as entrepreneurs in fashion accessories, catering and interior design.

At the end of the program, Puntillo was amazed at the level of support provided to students throughout their education at Friends. “I don’t recall having a Career Day back in Middle School. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to start thinking about skills they can develop, jobs that sound appealing, and what the day-to-day is like for a journalist, doctor, or other professional.

And I was touched by the thankyou notes that I received from the students and their thoughts on what they learned.”

Around the Quad

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>>Architect, Greg Andrea ‘78 A partner in the firm of Andrea and Baker, Architects (Locust Valley and New York City), Greg gave students a comprehensive look at the common structural and design elements of every architectural project, and explained the process of conceptualizing, drawing and model-making that leads to the finished product.

>>Fashion Consultant, Laura Belt ‘00 Senior sales executive for the multi-brand designer showroom Fahionhaus in Manhattan, Laura explained how she works with editors of major online and print media to help shape the content of their publications.

“It was a great experience speaking to the Friends Academy Middle Schoolers. The kids’ variety of interests from fashion journalism to designing was inspiring. It was fun to show them the upcoming trends and explain that hard work and honesty will help add to a successful career, no matter what it is.”

>>Financial Trader, Greg Gavin ‘78 Greg injected humor and clarity into the world of financial trading, analysis and sales.

“It was really great to talk with the kids. Their maturity and intelligence was inspiring. I especially enjoyed meeting with the alumni.

Despite the variety of age and experience, we all agreed that our experience at Friends was crucial in shaping our views on life and in choosing the directions we tried to take.”

ALEX EDWARDS-BOURDREZ/friends academy

Left to right: Kimi Puntillo ‘75; Daisy Cook ‘97; Greg Gavin ‘78; Laura Belt ‘00; Mike Errico ‘84; Alexandra Troy Beattie ‘79; Katharine Posillico McGowan ‘86; Jennifer Koppelman Hutt ‘88; Alumni Association Vice President and event organizer Penelope Wylie Mayer ‘75; Greg Andrea ‘78.

>>Entrepreneur Chef Alexandra Troy Beattie ‘79 The owner of the catering company Culinary Architect (Greenvale and New York City), Alexandra got the kids out of their seats preparing various delicacies. She shared how her passion for cooking and business took hold while she was a student at FA, when she put together an extensive catering project.

>>Accessories Designer, Daisy Cook ‘97 Daisy involved students in the process of accessory design, and brought samples from her own line of products. She explained how she developed the notion of empowering girls to personalize the design of their accessories into a successful entrepreneurial venture, Rebelle Friendship Bags.

“I was impressed by the sophistication of their opinions on design and marketing. The students were gracious and attentive. It was a really wonderful time all around.

Going back made me realize how lucky I was to have attended Friends – there truly is no other place like it.”

>>Interior Designer, Katharine Posillico McGowan ‘86 Katharine walked students through the process and presentation of interior design concepts she has developed as owner of KJ Interior Design (Halesite and New York City).

>>Recording Artist and Television Writer, Mike Errico ‘84 Mike reflected on the diversified world of the entertainment profession with stories of his journey through performing rock music, writing television theme songs, and lecturing on songwriting and other music-industry topics.

>>Radio and Television Personality, Jennifer Koppelman Hutt ‘88 Co-host of the talk show Whatever! on SIRIUS/XM radio, Jennifer used videos to demonstrate how the show is put together.

“I didn’t expect the stack of thank-you notes that arrived a week after the event, and frankly, I was touched (brought to tears)

and overwhelmed by how personal each note was. I am proud to see Friends Academy keeps educating thoughtful, determined, and allaround lovely kids.”

>>Orthopedic Surgeon and Alumni Association President Peter Stein ‘79 The chief of the division of hand surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset gave the kids an inside look at the process with models of joints, along with the screws and plates he uses to restore the use of injured joints.

“Hopefully I was able to successfully introduce my profession and perhaps encourage some to pursue a rewarding career as an orthopedic surgeon or other physician.

Overall, I was very impressed by the Middle School students and faculty. The students were not only inquisitive and intelligent but also quite mature. I would recommend participating in a future career day to all FA alumni.”

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Fall Fair {Scenes from Fall Fair 2009} Sophomores Catryn Silbersack, Bolade Majekodunmi and Michael Gambardella. n

Director of College Guidance Ed Dugger (2nd from right) with ‘09 classmates Teresa Gianotti, Brittany Elias, and John Mascari. n

Danielle Valenti Smith ‘93 (left) and Alana Teutonico ‘94, with Danielle’s children, Sienna and Luca, and Alana’s daughter, Emma. n

Members of the class of 1989 (left to right) Wendy Quinn Tufano, Adam Fruitbine, Vikram Iyengar and Ali Pace with Upper School Principal Deb Schoman at the October 24 Alumni Reception. n

Barbara Booth Wylie ‘54 with her son, Jamie Wylie ‘78, who is also an FA parent. n

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A roaring bonfire.

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Parent volunteers man the food tables.

Jim Gillies ‘93 and his wife, former FA English teacher Wendy, with their children, Morgan and Jack, at the Alumni Tent. n

Board of Trustees member John Gambling ‘69 (second from left) and Craig White ‘61 at Fall Fair with their wives, Nancy White (next to John) and Wendy Gambling. n

Freshmen Kira Sanchez and Chernique Applewhaite. n

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“Sweet Lucy” performs at Fall Fair.

1974 classmates Ed Weiss, Adele MacDonald Kristiansson and Evette Beckett-Tuggle meet at the Homecoming Reception following Fall Fair. n

Jesse Rines ‘87 with his wife, Caprice, and their son at the Homecoming Reception following Fall Fair. n

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Really enjoying the Fall Fair rides.

Kindergartner Alexandra Grella has her face painted by FA parent Lisa Mullarkey. n

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An overview of the rides.

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Getting ready to dunk.

Michèle Pauporté ‘89 (second from right), her husband, Ben Patton, their son, Tiger, and Michèle’s mother, Joyce Pauporté, enjoy Fall Fair with history and English teacher, Louisa Garry (left). n

Getting up and close with the petting zoo. n

A thoroughly doused Middle School teacher, Rob Waller. n

Three generations of the Frey family (left to right): Barclay ‘81; his daughter, Olivia, class of 2012; and Julian ‘51. n

PHOTOS BY AMANDA FISK AND ALEX EDWARDS-BOURDREZ/friends academy

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

The Arts

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Yes. This is Shakespeare.

If you think you know Shakeschool students. “Young people speare, think again. This past are constantly facing decisions November, the Friends Academy about what they are willing to do Upper School presented William to get what they want,” said direcShakespeare’s All’s Well that Ends tor, Andrew Geha. “Then they Well with a definite have to face the consetwist. Actors with spiked quences of those decihair and a score punctusions, something we see ated by rock music set happen quite painfully the uniquely modern to Bertram, Helena and framework for this their friends.” classic play.

The production All’s Well is a story featured a live band on about Helena, a gentlestage, with ten contempowoman, who is desperrary songs weaving their ately in love with the way through the story.

Sophomore Alan Count Bertram. He is “Thematically, I looked Gabay. forced to marry her by for songs that would the King, but scorns her provide context and love. This forces Helena subtext,” said Geha. “The to take drastic measures to ensure music also infuses an energy into her reputation and her marriage. the production that most people All of the characters in this play don’t associate with Shakespeare, make questionable choices, which so it helps them look at the play in was one of the things that made a new light. And hopefully have a it attractive to direct with high lot of fun in the process.”

AMANDA FISK/friends academy

Sophomore Courtney Naughton, above, and senior Brandon Blau added a rock-drama twist to this Shakespeare classic.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Feature Story Meet nine current and future student leaders, who have brought Quaker values to life

Quaker Lights M

eeting for Worship. Community meeting. Apology of action. Hearing and listening. For Friends Academy students and alumni, these experiences, and others, are the ones that have helped shape some very unique leaders.

At Friends we see the student who can both raise his/ her hand and listen at the same time. We see students who understand not only why they are at Friends, but what talents they can bring to others and ultimately, create an even stronger community.

Leadership at Friends is intertwined along every step of the way, from the classroom to the athletic field to the stage. As early as Lower School, students learn to take responsibility for actions, and if they are incorrect or inappropriate – apologize.

Leaders are fashioned from strong character at

Friends. In Kindergarten, students learn how to greet each other and make contact. In third grade, children begin to understand how to lead in positive ways by calling their own “Community meetings.” In these once-a-week gatherings, children open with a moment of silence and then share reflections and concerns about school life from that past week. If a concern is voiced, the students work together to come up with solutions and sometimes their solutions are better than the teachers.

In the next few pages, we profile three alumni and six students, who were nominated by their peers, teachers and principals that exemplify the best of Friends. They are each a leader and a role model in their own unique way. They reach out, give back and inspire.

Here are their stories.

Distinguished Alumnus: John Gambling ‘69

Driven to Act for the Sake of Others

By Alex Edwards-Bourdrez Assistant Development Director/Alumni Relations & Giving

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John Gambling ‘69 with his wife, Wendy, and their three sons (left to right) Will ‘03, Andrew ‘99 and Bradley ‘99.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

ohn Gambling ’69 is one of most familiar and trusted voices in the New York Metropolitan area. For the past 30 years on the radio, he has interviewed presidents, governors, mayors and other political figures and celebrities in the news.

Currently the host of WOR-AM’s “John Gambling Show” on weekday mornings, John explores the local, national and international news as it relates to communities and individuals in the Tri-State area.

He began his career at WOR as a Staff Announcer in 1978 and has hosted several major shows, including the legendary “Rambling with Gambling.”

Feature Story

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Fortunately for Friends Academy, in his count, his junior and senior years did not John who “came out of nowhere to give his personal life John has exercised his dedicadistinguish him. He held no student leadheart and soul to the school.” tion to the public good as a trustee of the ership positions. He was a capable athlete, Potential is mysterious, and the ingredischool since 1981. His passion and vision and he did play some soccer, but his sports ents of leadership are sometimes also hard – and hard work – both as chairperson interests lay in snow and water skiing. The to spot in someone. John himself has no for various committees significance of his last two definitive answers to the question of what and as co-president from years of high school, when shaped him.

It was a range 1992 to 2008, have guided he made connections “Meeting for Worship comes into of passions... that the school through times with new friends and new play,” he said. “Years after Friends it had of unprecedented and ideas, would play out after a strange way of coming back to me.” In focused John on a inevitable change while graduation. young adulthood, while in Florida visiting deeply meaningstrengthening the pursuit John formed what his sister, John met his wife-to-be, Wendy, ful family life, and of its Quaker mission. He has turned out to be a who is a birthright Quaker from South inspired him as a is a member of Matinelifelong friendship with Jersey, where she grew up as a member of remarkably effective FA classmates Peter Picoli cock Meeting.

Woodstown Meeting. Quakerism has been leader...

The 1969 yearbook and Russ Notides. Russ at the core of their marriage and parenthas a unique touch. Next helped produce the 1969 ing. Their three sons, twins Andrew and to each senior photo is yearbook, which lists him Bradley, and their younger brother, Will, a poem, which is not so unusual, except as the staff’s “Jack-of-all-trades.” He was at were “lifers” at Friends, graduating in 1999 when you notice that there are no authors least partially responsible for penning the and 2003. cited. That’s because each set of verses was poem on John’s page. Russ knew John well.

Because it offered such a unique degree custom-written to reflect the individual He saw the potential, as well as hints of of involvement in his sons’ education, John senior. In some cases the reflection was a change, those last two years before college. calls his time on the Friends Academy creation of the person pictured. In other But even Russ was surprised at the Board of Trustees “one of the great blesscases the editors put their heads together change he noticed in John when they ings” of his life. “Nothing comes near the to come up with something that seemed were college freshmen together at Boston reward of taking the opportunity to help right.

University. “We were two guys who could strengthen the school where my children John Gambling’s photo is a close-up really goof off,” he recalls. (The ‘Second Pewere being educated,” he said. of him looking out of a doorway against riod Breakfast Club’ in the yearbook poem John and Wendy moved to Long Island the blurry background of the building’s refers to their regular off-campus morning and joined Matinecock Meeting in 1978, exterior. He is both contemplative and jaunts to the Frontier Diner in Glen Cove.) when he joined WOR-AM as a staff anexpectant – a thematically effective and At BU John and Russ nouncer. John’s voice and artistic shot. The accompanying verses are were staff members at the steady, personable manner striking in light of the unforeseen paths university radio station, soon became well known Because it offered John took after he stepped out of his high WBUR-FM – and John in the Tri-State area. (He such a unique deschool world: had the morning shift. “I had previously done “a would never have guessed little of everything” in gree of involvement no direction: “live for today” that John would have gotradio markets in Boston, in his sons’ educaMoodiness often signifies ten up at 6 a.m. every day Florida, and Hyde Park, tion, John calls his

evil thoughts… and trudged through the including on-air work and time on the Friends

… snow,” Russ said. Radio stints as a program direcAcademy Board of

a reformed hacker was an immediate passion tor.) In his early WOR Trustees “one of the proud member of the Second Period of John’s. days John hosted “WOR

Breakfast Club It was a range of pasWeekend” from 1978 to great blessings” of yet under those golden locks sions, some rooted in his 1981 and “Good Afterhis life.

lies an awareness of, brief Friends experience noon NY” from 1981 to

an ability to. and some spawned later, 1985, when he became that fueled a challenging co-host with his father of It’s a playful piece – and prescient, as and successful career as a radio talk-show “Rambling with Gambling,” the station’s it turns out. John’s awareness and abilhost, focused John on a deeply meaningful weekday morning talk show. ity were to become abundantly clear and family life, and inspired him as a remarkJohn was asked to join the Friends consequential. ably effective leader for Friends Academy Academy Board in 1981. Then Early After 10th grade John transferred from during a time of breathtaking opportunity Childhood director and current Board the Hill School in Pottstown, PA, to finish and activity. Russ Notides shared the Continued on Page 12 high school at Friends. By his own acamazement of many others that it was

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Feature Story Distinguished Alumnus: John Gambling ‘69 school’s integrity would be difficult to do.

The Board decided to restructure its member Doris Pailet, who retired in 2002, leadership and appoint co-presidents for recalls that at a reception on the occasion the first time. In keeping with the bylaws of John’s joining the Board, the person who that call for 50 percent of the membership introduced John to her asked, “Do you to be Quaker, one of the co-presidents was know who this is?” John said softly, “I was to be a Quaker. John filled that role and hoping you wouldn’t say something like served with David George and then Tom that.”

Dooley as co-president from 1992 through The story points to John’s insistence on 2008. (Currently, Tom Hawkins ’78 is the focusing on others and regarding them for Quaker who serves as co-president with their individual worth. It also reflects the Scott Rechler. John is now the chair of the part of his character that drives him to act Board’s Buildings and Grounds committee.) for the sake of others. The considerable Tom Dooley underscores John’s splash he has made in the world’s leading “balanced Quaker sensibility” that has media market has not drowned that out. informed the Board’s priorities guiding the When John re-joined school’s direction over the WOR in 2008, following past two decades. “John an eight-year tenure at understands how impor“John understands WABC, Mayor Bloomberg, tant and essential Quakerhow important and who was a weekly guest essential Quakerism ism is to our identity and of John’s, went with him. he knows how to meld is to our identity The Mayor declined to that with the fast-moving and he knows how continue his spot on world we live in,” Tom WABC, preferring instead to meld that with explained. “The social to stay with John, whom conscience that is central the fast-moving he called “a class act.” to the mission is so imporworld we live in.”

John’s passion for radio tant to him.”

– Tom Dooley, former is born from his interest With its current physiBoard president in engaging others – his cal plant and increased guests as well as his listenresources and programs, ers – to think about the greater good. John John points out that the FA of today is is a facilitator – but one whose communiindeed very different from the FA of ty-directed leadership has had a significant yesteryear. But he is proud that the essence impact, both in the broadcast arena and of the school is unchanged: its adherence in education through his roles on the to philosophy and mission, and its reliance Friends Academy Board. That focus, along on underlying Quaker testimonies – “In with the unwavering respect with which some ways stronger now,” John says – as he treats others, has steered John through its guiding principles. He is also proud rough waters in the radio business, and has that Friends has the resources to pursue its guided his leadership at Friends Academy educational mission in today’s world. during a challenging and exciting period John’s fellow Board members give him of change. significant credit for keeping the school true to itself. His dedication is unparAs John puts it, “In 1991 it had become alleled. Doris Pailet said that he “has evident that Friends Academy needed to never missed a meeting.” (In addition to move itself out of the 60s and 70s and meetings of the full membership, various into the 90s.” Educational resources and subcommittees, including development, standards were expanding. The competifinance and buildings and grounds, meet tion with boarding schools – and also local regularly throughout the year. As the public schools – was more pronounced.

Board’s co-president, John attended each of But effectuating change and preserving the

Continued from Page 11

Daniel McCooey, 5th Grade • Entered Friends: September 2002 • Class at Friends: 2017 • Activities: Community Service, Basketball (Grenville-Baker Boys & Girls Club); Music; Community Flag Football, Community Lacrosse (Locust Valley Falcons) • “Danny is an academic leader and a friend to all in our class.”

(Kara Lewis, Fifth Grade Teacher)

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anny has emerged as a true “saltof-the-earth” individual centered on contributing to the greater good. He doesn’t deny his own passions, however, which span participation in community service, various academic subjects, music and sports.

Danny regularly participates in the monthly Saturday morning Family Community Service Sandwich-Making project for the needy. He exercises leadership in a variety of sports, both at Friends and in the community, and he plays saxophone in the band.

He embraces his peers, who gravitate toward him. “Danny is a friend to all in the class,” said fifth grade teacher Kara Vassel Lewis '86. “He is an industrious and enthusiastic learner that jumps right into projects with confidence.”

Danny’s confidence and his sheer enjoyment of things are at the core of his natural leadership instincts. His interest in others comes through when he talks of his varied activities. A sports enthusiast, Danny most values the sharing of the experience with his friends on various community-based teams (basketball, lacrosse and flag football), which include many of his fellow FA students.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Feature Story

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Distinguished Alumnus: John Gambling ‘69 them, and in the years he was not co-presBoard and the Head are in constant dialog. ident, he sat on several of the committees, But John keeps his sights on the imporchairing some of them.) tance of the Board understanding its role.

“John has dedicated his life after graduBoard members who are also parents have ating from FA to making this place an to be “non-parental” – they must not wear amazing institution, especially in rebuildtheir parent hat to meetings. The Board ing the physical plant and overseeing the must “remember that the Head is the Board and helping to raise significant ‘CEO’ – we are here to guide and steer.” funds,” Tom Dooley said. He John is indeed part of a team. took the lead as the school emAs much as he has devoted his barked on its facilities expanenergy to the life of the school, sion in the 1990s. “John proved he has been inspired by the to be a strong strategic thinker, dynamic input and leadership always looking ahead,” Doris reof fellow Board members, as marked. “Everything had to be well as the administration and useful, long-lasting, efficient, of faculty. John illustrates that a superior quality, and respectful Board member’s commitment is of the most detailed codes. He voluntary, passionate and proconstantly reminded us not to fessional. In its approach and John Gambling’s yearbook put band-aids on cancers.” sense of mission, the Friends photo from 1969.

Board member Nan Tilton, Academy Board is guided by the who also parented twins who are now FA very Quaker principles it insists be at the alums (Heather and Todd, class of 2001), heart of the school’s program. cites John’s strong, persuasive personality At the heart of the school itself are its that works hand-in-hand with his respectpeople. The potential of its students, the ful approach with others. She echoes involvement of parents (“far greater in the Doris’s observation about his insistence on last 20 years,” John says), and the dedicaquality. As an example of his attentiveness, tion of its faculty and staff have fueled she recalls him noticing that insulation John’s motivation as much as the education in the Dolan Center was being installed of his own children. Tom Dooley sums it upside-down, which would cause damaging up: “John bleeds FA. The school is in his condensation over time. heart and soul, and his heart and soul are As Board co-president, “John was also a in the school. He appreciates the impact strong faculty-staff advocate,” Nan added. that the presence of FA has – on students “He was constantly working behind the and families and the wider community.” scenes to strengthen the school’s human In spite of the surprise of Russ Notides resources – it was another way he was and others, John clearly did not “come out effective in moving the school forward. of nowhere.” His vision and practicality; He always wanted to be part of a team. his respect for others, his enjoyment of He wanted to help. He was unselfish and them, and his dedication to their good; his didn’t take credit. He was a great supporter tireless work ethic and optimism; and his of the Head of School, too – he always put sense of indebtedness to the Friends comthe Head out front.” In the same breath munity – and, by extension, to the commuNan points out that Friends has been nity its members serve now and will serve “blessed” with John’s strong leadership. as alumni – have roots in the teenage life John puts the well-being of students of that “reformed hacker” whose awareness on top – all else is to serve that end. He and ability have been flourishing during exercises leadership with a “common-sense the four decades since his high school approach,” according to Nan. For John, graduation. that means “constant, fresh and honest conversation.” The co-presidents of the

Naiya Drayton, 6th Grade • Entered Friends: September 2004 • Class at Friends: 2016 • “Naiya’s presence brings a measure of peace and cooperation that impacts her peers.” (Deborah McCrimmon, Lower School Principal)

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aiya is quiet and reserved, but her locker and desk were the noisiest places in the fifth-grade area on March 27 last spring: it was her birthday, and her classmates had come to school with cakes, posters, cards and decorations to celebrate.

If a measure of true leadership is the respect you get in return for the respect you show for others, then Naiya is blessed with an abundance of it. Naiya’s attractiveness to others is a natural outgrowth of both her sensitivity toward them and her self-effacing, steady personality.

Naiya sees and takes opportunities to touch others in quiet and thoughtful ways. “She is always inclusive,” said Brie Shapiro Kraska '93, her 5th grade teacher. “Whether the other person is a good friend or not, she makes sure everybody is paid attention to.” She is “true to herself,” as her teachers put it.

Because of her naturally kind nature, Naiya is uniquely able to help peers navigate rough social waters.

Naiya’s leadership is unplanned: she exercises it in the moment, repeatedly, and with great effect. The middle and upper schools will be enriched by her presence and growing involvement.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Feature Story Abbie Freedman ‘59

Overcoming Adversity to Advocate for Others pate in the nascent health-consciousness movement. She went where the action was: California. There, in the Napa Valley, she managed a health retreat and vineyard for n the Quaker spirit of “letting one’s five years. life speak,” Abbie Freedman A violent minute in 1981 ’59 has followed her inner changed the course of her life. light and turned her passions, Her car careened off a cliff, and and eventually her personal Abbie woke up in the hospital adversity, into forces of change to the news that the injuries had for the benefit of others. paralyzed her from the chest Abbie Freedman entered down.

Friends Academy in the fall Initially, and for a considerof 1950 as a fourth grader. able time following the acThroughout the decade leadcident, Abbie concentrated on ing to her graduation in 1959, regaining as much control of she never had a particular her body as possible. In spite of Abbie Freedman started at goal for her life – no family Friends Academy in 1950 as a limitations she could not shed expectations, no career goals or fourth grader.

– she has remained a paraplegic fantasies. all her life – Abbie has shown Her open-mindedness, resilherself and the world that inner iency, creativity, and strength resolve and outward focus can combine to of character have led her through a maze make miracles. of what she calls “curious turns” that she “I don’t look at difficult situations as could never have predicted. problems,” she says. “I consider them An artist and a three-sport athlete at challenges.”

Friends, Abbie parlayed those interests Abbie has met the challenges head-on into a productive young adulthood. Fresh and with startling success. As a paraplegic out of college with a Bachelor’s degree in she’s ridden horses on the local hillsides; Art, she took a job in New York City with skied the slopes of Tahoe and Vail; paraNorcross Greeting Cards. Signs of her sailed in the Cayman Islands; traveled curiosity and altruism soon emerged. She to the Greek Islands, Spain, France, Italy, moved to New England and built a successAlaska, the Philippines, London and Wales; ful career as an art and physical education and searched for ancestors in Ireland. teacher in Connecticut and New HampAs impressive as those accomplishments shire. She earned a Masters degree in the are, Abbie’s intellectual, professional and Teaching of Art along the way – the first of spiritual responses to her situation – and a collection of advanced degrees that, along to further daunting challenges that were with her vision of a better world, would awaiting her – are the hallmark of her put her at the cutting edge of public and remarkable life. private initiatives to empower people with With a renewed desire to “make a differdisabilities. ence in the lives of others and to give back But that was still unforeseen in the midin a meaningful way,” Abbie went back to 1970s when Abbie felt a calling to particiBy Alex Edwards-Bourdrez Assistant Development Director/ Alumni Relations & Giving

Andrew Greene, 6th Grade • Entered Friends: September 2001 • Class at Friends: 2016 • “Andrew put the school’s mission into practice in the Lower School.” (Fifth grade teacher Brie Kraska)

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ndrew applies Quaker principles of integrity, respect and service to others in ways that inspire his schoolmates and teachers.

He always tries his hardest, and he is a leader in class discussions. Effort, ability and wit, with a desire to connect to others, are ingredients in his leadership.

“Andrew is a natural-born leader,” said fifth grade teacher Brie Shapiro Kraska '93. “As stage manager of the Lower School variety show he showed an ability to organize and keep everybody on the same page.”

Andrew was an innovative participant in Lower School TASQUE (Teachers and Students for Quaker Education).

He helped organize weekly meetings of second-through-fifth-grade TASQUE members. Andrew led efforts to write and perform skits in classrooms that provided a basis for a range of discussion topics about Meeting for Worship and other Quaker practices. He also spearheaded community-service fund-raising projects, and had a hand in producing the Lower School’s “TASQUE Times” newsletter.

This summer Andrew was selected to participate in the Congressional Youth Leadership Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Feature Story

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Abbie Freedman ‘59 school, to the University of San Francisco, There was one more “curious turn” waitand in the mid 1980s earned a second ing for her. This past fall Abbie survived Masters degree, this time in counseling. a Whipple procedure, a very serious and She went to work, volunteering in several traumatic surgery in connection with organizations. She counseled individuals pancreatic cancer. She reports that she devastated by sudden spinal-cord injuries is “all clean now” – and that the doctors so successfully that she was personally marveled at the physical condition of a awarded one of President George H.W. 67-year-old woman who has been paraBush’s “Thousands Points of Light.” lyzed for more than 27 years. “Resilient” Ever seeking new ways to help, Abbie was the word they used. saw opportunity in a fledgling group called Not surprisingly – though quite remarkCanine Companions for Independence – ably – that set-back didn’t get in the way of now not such an obscure organization. She her current service project: mentoring an and her dog, Ollie (one of the organization’s at-risk teenage girl to help better her life. first 100 dogs), were the subject of a special Her mentee just turned 20 and is involved “That’s Incredible”-type in an E.M.T. program.

Japanese TV program. “It Abbie’s reflection on this was such a remarkable latest involvement capTen years after thing back then,” Abtures her character with the accident that bie noted, “to have a dog simple eloquence: “I find left her paralyzed, that could turn on light it rewarding to make a Abbie suffered a switches, press elevator difference in even just one buttons and open doors.” person’s life.” serious head injury.

Ten years after the “Friends Academy (This time she was accident that left her paralaid the groundwork for the victim of a lyzed, Abbie suffered a much of the person I careless driver who serious head injury. (This have become,” she says. ran a red light.) time she was the victim of “Quakerism opened the a careless driver who ran a path for me to study Budred light.) Her response? dhism seriously – to think Her response?

Earn a law degree! “A of the world as a comneuropsychologist said I munity and to try to leave Earn a law degree! needed to re-pattern and it a better place – and to stimulate my brain,” she develop a love for people explains. “I had to learn and animals.” Abbie has to work with what I had. At first my mind recently begun attending Quaker meetings couldn’t handle more than one thought for worship at the Redwood Forest Meeting at a time, and even that took great effort.” near her hometown of Santa Rosa, CA. “It Always applying her mind and talent in feels like a coming home after a 50-year multiple ways, Abbie entered a Bar Asabsence,” she said. sociation art show and competition while In some ways, Abbie never really left her studying law – and she won.

Friends Academy home. She is the class of Abbie put her new expertise to broad1959 co-rep with classmate Anne Schwiereaching use as a consultant working with bert. The dedication has kept many in the businesses on issues of compliance with the class close. Abbie credits Friends Academy Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. with inculcating in her the value of friendShe also started her own consulting busiship, which has enriched her life – and nesses, helping organizations and individuthat of many others. als with issues of accessibility.

Sydney Menzin, 9th Grade • Entered Friends: September 1999 • Class at Friends: 2013 • School Life: Community Service, Varsity Tennis, TASQUE 8th Grade Leader; Middle School Softball captain; Admissions Ambassador • “Sydney is a strong student, a magnetic personality, and a positive influence on her peers in all activities.” (Matt Davison, 9th Grade Advisor)

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ydney is confident, outwardly focused, and purposeful.

Her approach to school life always engages others. She carries out food and toy drives with infectious enjoyment. Her enthusiasm touched students of all ages, as well as faculty, in the peace group she led as an eighthgrade leader of TASQUE (Teachers and Students for Quaker Education). Sydney’s group produced one of the squares of the enormous Peace Quilt that bears the handprints of all of FA’s 750 students.

Emblematic of her role in the community is the unwavering support she gave her Middle School softball teammates last spring during a challenging season. “Every player was buoyed in every practice and game by her encouragement and spirit,” said her coach, Steve Rubenacker. This year she extended her inspiring presence on the varsity tennis team.

Her example shows how humility, respect and kindness, together with “a sense of ownership,” as her teachers put it, can inspire her peers and lend extra meaning to school life for everyone.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Feature Story Evette Beckett-Tuggle ‘74

Giving Back: Leadership Strengthens Economy and Community team-build’ with people who have different backgrounds and skills than you do – diverse teams are more fun and rewarding to vette Beckett-Tuggle ’74 attended work with; and (3) ‘listen before acting,’ in Tufts University where she earned other words, seek first to understand, then her BA in English and be understood.”

Drama. She then went on to During those years, she Columbia and completed an served on the boards of several MBA program with a concommunity-based organizations centration in Marketing and including, The Glen Cove Boys Finance. & Girls Club, Children’s House, Her career spans marketing Coalition of 100 Black Women leadership positions in both the of Long Island, The National private and public sectors. After Black MBA Association and two decades in the corporate the Friends Academy Board of side of marketing, she is now Trustees (1995-2005). the Executive Director of the “I was taught early on in life CHIP HOINS Evette Beckett-Tuggle arrived Business Development Unit through my Christian upbringat Friends Academy as a of the Nassau County Office ing and by my parents, 'to sophomore in 1971 and of Economic Development whom much is given, much is graduated cum laude where she has worked for the required.' Community service in 1974. past three years. Her primary is a natural outgrowth of that responsibility is business attraclearning. I cannot stress enough tion, retention and expansion. the importance of giving back. I learned a “I enjoy what I do,” Evette said. “The lot about leadership through my involvework is fulfilling and important, espement in church where I was challenged cially during these challenging times. The to balance humility with the utilization growth and viability of the commercial of my God-given gifts of organization and business sector is critical to the sustainelocution. Two organizations I belong to ability of our economy. Business expansion now place a strong emphasis on commuoften means job creation and increased nity service: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, consumer spending which positively Incorporated – Theta Iota Omega Chapter impact our local economy.” and The Links, Incorporated – Greater Prior to her appointment to Nassau New York Chapter.”

County, Evette worked in consumer Evette is married to the Rev. Reginald marketing with Fortune 500 companies Tuggle, pastor of the Memorial Presbytelike Avon Products, Inc., Tambrands, Inc. rian Church in Roosevelt. They live in (now a part of Proctor and Gamble) and Glen Cove, where Evette was born. Her Citibank. daughter, Lauren Jackson, graduated from “I learned several leadership traits Friends Academy in 2005 and recently early on in my career: (1) ‘humility’ in the graduated from Tufts University with recognition that you don’t know it all, so degrees in Drama and Communications/ it is not a bad idea, if your ego allows, to Media Studies. hire people smarter than you; (2) ‘diverse “I was happy that Lauren had the

By Kathryn Abbe Former Friends Academy Trustee and member of The Meeting House Editorial Board

Robby Berke, 9th Grade • Entered Friends: September 1998 • Class at Friends: 2013 • School Life: Student/Faculty Board; Natural Helpers; Academic Team; Golf Team • “Robby has an unusual ability to acknowledge the success of others in a way that builds people up.” (Selina Collier, Middle School science teacher)

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obby is a pro-active doer, always engaging others. Herb Lape, Upper School Student/Faculty Board advisor, is impressed with Robby’s early effectiveness on the Student/Faculty Board: “He set a model of getting things done.” He took on the project of fixing the foosball table: going online, ordering the parts, and installing them. Leading last year’s Middle School Steering Committee, he involved his 30 fellow committee members in difficult discussions about the dress code and the schedule of music rehearsals.

Robby’s peers chose him as a Natural Helper, to keep his eyes and ears open for signs of stress among his schoolmates, and to address those problems in appropriate ways under the guidance of the school psychologist and other faculty.

Robby’s teachers note his maturity, leadership, balance, and academic curiosity. His peers know him as a likeable, sympathetic and somewhat quiet individual, who takes himself in stride, offers help to others, and enjoys their friendship as much as they enjoy his.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Evette Beckett-Tuggle ‘74 experience of an education at Friends and few students of color at the school at that to be able to share so many of her special time. I was the only African-American girl gifts. One of the greatest honors I had was in my grade the entire time I was at the being selected as the parent to address her school. I threw myself into the works of graduating class at Fourth Day Honors. It African-American writers like Langston was a true ‘full circle’ experience for me.”

Hughes and spent a lot of time educating Evette has been involved in many minmy fellow students about the rich culture istries at the church, including serving as a of my heritage. I remember wearing an teacher and treasurer of the Sunday school, exotic upright pony tail to school and member of the Lay Leaders, and President African dashikis to underscore my ‘lessons.’ of the Women’s League. She is currently I think I presented a bit of a challenge to a member of the church dance ministry the dress code at the time. I was intentioncalled Choresis. “My involvement in ally provocative about the similarities the Choresis Dance Ministry has been a and differences of our cultures, but in a life-changing experience for me. It is not non-threatening sort of way. My yearbook performance of dance. It page featured an excerpt is a ministry – a manifesfrom Langston Hughes’ “I was taught early tation of God’s word to great manifesto, ‘The people through dance and Negro Artist and the Raon in life through movement. The presence cial Mountain,’ in which my Christian of God is felt not only by he poses the thoughtupbringing and those who are ministered provoking question, ‘Am by my parents, 'to to, but by all of us as we I a Negro artist or am I an whom much is minister. It is a profoundartist who happens to be a given, much is ly remarkable, rich and Negro?’ The meaning beawesome experience.” hind that question defined required.' ComEvette spent only my general state of mind munity service is a three years as a student at seventeen – searching, natural outgrowth at Friends Academy. She probing, challenging. I of that learning. arrived on campus in believe the essence of that 1971 as a sophomore and question holds tremenI cannot stress excelled academically, dous relevance, to all of enough the graduating cum laude in us, today.” importance 1974. She had a keen inEvette points to of giving back.” terest in creative writing, Quakerism’s influence: “I theater and modern dance. think of the principles of She served as Literary EdiQuakerism as a necessary tor of The Inkwell and was part of my life and what I cast in theatrical productions each year believe. I speak about it often. I enjoy the during her tenure at the school. silent, reflective aspect of Quaker Meeting, “I was greatly influenced by teachers like and have visited and shared the experience Joe and Annie Servello who taught drama of First Day Meeting at Matinecock over and directed the theatrical productions. the years with my family and friends. My My English teachers were also a great annual treks to Meeting for Worship have influence as I loved to write. In particular, become something of a cleansing experiRoger Erickson, Al Haulenbeek and Jim ence for me; it is a way to sift out the good Luongo were most encouraging. These from the bad and find grounding.” were passionate teachers. I think that is why they influenced me so. The love of their craft was apparent. There were very

Courtney Lenoir, 12th Grade • Entered Friends: September 2002 • Class at Friends: 2010 • School Life: WATCH, Clerk in 20092010; Natural Helpers; Art Gallery Student Curators; Model UN Club, Vice President in 2009-2010; Chamber Choir; Varsity Golf • “Courtney firmly believes in saving the world one person at a time.” (Dan Smith, junior-year advisor)

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ourtney’s leadership has a local and global impact. As a member of WATCH (We Are the Community Helpers), she has coordinated community service programs involving hundreds of students, including Hunger Awareness Day in November. Her FA peers chose her to be a Natural Helper in the program that supports fellow students in distress.

Courtney founded Generation Y Not in 2005 to enlist the world’s young people to assist charitable grassroots organizations. She attends the annual Global Campaign for Education’s Action Week in Washington, DC. In 2008 she was a presenter at the UN Secretary General’s Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism. Through Tuesday’s Children – Project Common Bond, she works with teens who have suffered a loss due to terrorism to promote global peace. Locally, Courtney is the only teenager on St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church’s Outreach Committee, which awards approximately $60,000 annually to service-oriented organizations.

Courtney always engages others on a personal level. “She makes people feel comfortable,” Dan observed. “She is mature, yes, but she enjoys being her age.”

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Sports: Go FA! {Fall 2009}

mike damm/friends academy

This season we witnessed championship wins, and coaching records, but we also saw what happens when a community’s support and belief in a team is what turns a season around. That is the magic of Friends.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Sports: Go FA! Varsity Boys Soccer

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Chris Campbell, Matt Slotnick, Pat Burke, Zach Cantor, Cole Chartash, Mike DeMatteis, Drew Chartash, Mike Isernio. Middle: Coach Marshall Lindner, Leo Gussack, Weston Morabito, Teddy Burke, Sam Gussack, Colin Heffron, Coach David Barth. Bottom: David Sher, Kyle Dineen, Eli Rousso, Chris Maierle, Paul Asadourian, Dillon Wlensky, Kevin Naughton. Not pictured: AJ Muran.

Boys crowned state champions; also earn Sportsmanship Award

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mike damm/friends academy

Top: Andrew Eng, Stephen Shin, Matthew Lieber, Connor Dooley, Sinan Arkonac, Patrick Pozzi, Stefan Sayre. Bottom: Coach Gonzalez, John O’Brien, Dillon Wilensky, Anthony Russo, Evan Sayre, Nicholas Moretto, Andrew (Jack) Bauer, Matthew Gutierrez, Coach Posada. Not in Picture: Harrison DellaFera, Farnk DellaFera, William Duke, Bolade Majekodunmi II, Hunter Robinson, Shervin Yaraghi, Benjamin Wachtler, and Samuel Hawkins.

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he 2009 soccer season was a magical journey that began with four straight losses and ended up at the Final Four in Oneonta, NY. We began the season with hopes of repeating as conference champions. However, early season losses put us too far behind and we were never able to catch Plainedge in the race for the conference title. We did, however, get our game together and finished the regular season with a fine record of 8 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie.

The playoffs began with a great team effort against Port Jefferson in the Long Island championship game at Adelphi University. Playing in front of what may be the largest crowd to ever watch a Friends Academy soccer game, we advanced with a 4-0 victory. Three days later we won the regional championship by defeating Blind Brooke 1-0 in sudden-death overtime. It was now on to the Final Four for the first time in FA Soccer history.

On Saturday, Nov. 21 we defeated Holland High School from Buffalo 2-0, recording our third straight shutout. On Sunday we played Marathon High School for the championship. We scored a goal with 29 seconds remaining in the first half to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. The entire defense was fantastic in defending the lead and giving us our first soccer state championship.

The team would like to thank everyone for their great support this season. – Coach Marshall Lindner

individual awards ALL CONFERENCE – CHRIS CAMPBELL, CHRIS MAIERLE, LEO GUSSACK HONORABLE MENTION ALL COUNTY – COLIN HEFFRON ALL COUNTY – MATT SLOTNICK ALL STATE – MATT SLOTNICK TOURNAMENT M.V.P. – COLIN HEFFRON

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Mike Petrocelli, Trevor Sequino, Bolade Majekodunmi, Matt Lieber, John O’Brien, Rani Bendari, Will Duke, Coach Rob Aaron. Kneeling: Matt Collins, Teddy Haggerty, Emilio Cuesta. Not pictured: Christian Fitzgerald, Will Sands.

Team competes on next level

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ur 2009 official record is 3 wins, 3 ties, and 7 losses.

By all measures, we had a successful season in which we broke records in goals scored and multiple shutouts held against long-standing rivals. In the process, we tied North Shore, Glen Cove, and Manhasset, rival teams we never had been able to compete against in past years. We scored 22 goals, including 3 by two different goalies, 3 by two different defenders, and even had a ninth grader as our leading goal scorer. In all, great memories were made on and off the field this year. Because of a larger than expected number of participants, we also had an additional group of twelve enthusiastic players who joined the team on a rotating basis throughout the season. Thanks to this group of players for their contributions.

We are extremely proud of our team. Coach Gonzalez and I had a great time coaching our team through very competitive and spirited games against top-notch competition. We thank our players and their parents for their devoted support throughout our soccer season. We look forward to another exciting year in 2010!

– Coach Edgar Posada

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Sports: Go FA!

AMANDA FISK/friends academy

Sisterly love: From left, Haley (12th) and Gussie (11th) Gahan; Sophia (10th) and Ally (12th) Toles and Michelle (11th) and Jessie (9th) Babicz.

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On and off the field, these three sets of sisters help each other and the team. “We’re all sisters in a sense.”

he Varsity Girls Soccer I know she knows how to play team this season was soccer well,” said Ally. very close. So close, they “It’s fun to have your sister on might even seem like family.

And the fact that this 9-2-1 team also had three sets of sisters on it might have something to do with it.

From halfback to sweeper to fullback, the six sisters spanned the soccer field and added both youth and veteranship.

“This was a very strong team, one of our strongest in 18 years that I’ve coached,” said head coach Gail Baker.

“Each of these players added a special quality to the team.”

Having her sister on the team allowed senior Ally Toles to be a little more aggressive.

For senior and starting sweeper Ally Toles, and sister sophomore Sophia, who the team. We know each other so plays outside halfback, playing well,” said senior Haley Gahan, together was almost a new exa four-year starter and captain perience. “I’ve only played with this year. “We have a certain my sister once before. It’s kind body language. I can just look of cool,” said Ally. Both Ally at Gussie and know what’s she and Sophia have been playing thinking,” said Haley. since they were three and four.

Having three sets of sisters on “The whole team has to play the team added a unique bond as one unit, but the subdivibetween all the girls and brought sions have to work together and the team closer together. “They

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

saw the support that the sisters gave each other. Collective winning is our strategy and philosophy. When you put sisters on that team, it only enhances this philosophy,” said Gail Baker.

“It’s really cool that we have a lot of sisters. It feels more connected and this is the first time we’ve ever played together,” said junior Michelle Babicz, who controls the middle of the field.

“It makes us stronger on the field,” added her sister, freshman Jessie, who plays halfback. “We can back each other up on the field, since we know each other so well.”

For Gail Baker, these sisters perform on a level that combines tremendous talent, smarts and aggressiveness. “They are all very coachable girls, who play as a team unit and as a result we have a real close group,” she said. “We work together – coach and player, player and player.”

This season the team earned the Nassau County Sportsmanship Award, and perhaps, a little sisterly love had a little bit to do with that.

Sports: Go FA! Varsity Girls Soccer

Junior Varsity Girls Soccer

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Coach Gail Baker, Sophia Toles, Marissa Tidona, Jessica Babicz, Heather Mairle, Meredith Mangiarottti, Gussie Gahan, Paige Arfman, Sydney Esiason, Kristina Kim, Coach Dick Abbene Jaclyn Bialer.

Bottom: Haley Gahan, Michelle Babicz, Amanda Edwards, Correy Dennihan, Brooke Bliven, Ally Toles, Melissa Greenblatt. Not pictured: Nancy Karches, Krystina Iordanou).

Team takes 2nd in conference; wins well-earned County Sportmanship Award

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he Girls Varsity soccer team ended its season with a 9-2-1 record. The girls started off the season 6-0 and came in second place in the conference. This group melded into an unshakable union of fearless run-and-gun players who spent most of their games daring their opponents to keep up with an incessant attack on their goal. Each player developed ball skills to a high level through dedication to daily work at practice. Each player should feel really good about individual accomplishments and especially good with the season’s nine wins against tough opponents.

Probably our most significant accomplishment was our togetherness. It is not always true that a group of athletes can collaborate in such a forthright manner and accept victory and defeat equally. We are proud of all the achievements the girls worked for this season and are hoping to go further next year as we move up a conference. Our team was a special team this year.

Congratulations to the team for being recognized with the County Sportsmanship Award.

– Coach Gail Baker

individual awards Scholar Athlete – Haley Gahan All Class – Correy Denihan All Conference – Ally Toles, Sydney Esiason MVP of the Playoffs for Class “ C “ – Michelle Babicz All County – Michelle Babicz

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Top: Coach Allison Mullen, Taylor McGowan, Kirsten Grady, Meredith Wagner, Tara Judge, Claudia Ratner and coach Jamie Conzelman. Middle: Domenica (Sunny) Lostritto, Jackie Leon, Maureen (Molly) Sullivan, Stephanie Batista, Kayle Kemperle, Alix Liss, Kelsey Denihan. Bottom: Rose Morabito, Rania Aniftos, Brianna Smith, Lauren Egogigwe, Zorina Akhund.

Season ends with winning record

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he Junior Varsity girls ended the soccer season with an overall record of 6-5-1. Coach Conzelman and I were extremely proud of the improvements each player made as they progressed throughout the season. The hard work and commitment demonstrated by the girls both in practice and during games resulted in a very successful season.

– Coach Allison Mullen

Junior Varsity Football

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Brian Lightcap, Spencer Sklar, Grant Baskind, Jasper Themelis, Jon Ramsey, Cris Curran, Zach Westermannn, Sean Collins, Jake Silverman, manager Will Schneider. Middle: Coach Ron Baskind, Coach John Regan, Will O’Kane, Peter Picoli, Kellen Sehring, Liam Kearney, Jake Hawkins, Nick Croce, Coach Al Quackenbush. Bottom: Eddie McNelis, Kyle Grady, Jon Wagner, Brian Judge, Nick Gavin. Billy Sawicki, Tommy Costa, Derek Maruca, Tommy Gambino, Eric Chen, Alex Ryan.

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Team rebuilds for future

he football team faced perhaps its biggest challenge to start the season. Low on numbers, the team decided to play a JV schedule this year. This was not an easy decision but the team rallied around the idea of rebuilding the program for the future. The school can take pride in the fact that our players could put aside individual goals and as a team went on to achieve one of our best seasons going 7-1. Thanks to their effort we have renewed hope that there will be a Friends Football Program next year. – Coach Ron Baskind

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Sports: Go FA!

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Varsity Field Hockey

Junior Varsity Field Hockey

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Drew Friedman, Jalisa Clark, Bridie Gahan, Erica Sklar, Brooke Henn, Chrissy Idol, Caroline Johansen, Stephanie Aaron, Coach Botti, Coach Garafalo. Middle: Holly Constants, Erin Gluck, Katy Saltz, Morgan Landow, Savannah Febesh, Jen Massa, Jess Granger. Bottom: Diana Gherlone, Taylor Ross, Liz Vitiello, Bailey Saltz, Nikita Chabra, Katie Sands.

Team captures fifth straight Nassau Country Championship

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he Girls Varsity field hockey team had a successful season finishing with an overall record of 13-4. While playing in the top league in Nassau County the girls set out each day looking to improve their skills both as individuals and as a team, which was a significant contributing factor to the success they experienced this season. The hard work that each team member put in was rewarded by winning their conference, and capturing the program’s fifth straight Nassau County Class “C” Championship when they defeated Carle Place 3-1. Coach Christine Botti was also honored with Coach of the Year for Nassau County.

– Coach Christine Botti

individual awards UnsuNg Hero – Jalisa Clark Exceptional Senior – Stephanie Aaron All-League – Erin Gluck All-Conference – Chrissy Idol, Diana Gherlone, Katie Sands All-Tournament – Erica Sklar, Savannah Febesh Honorable Mention All-County – Erica Sklar, Bridie Gahan All-County – Mindy Weiss, Taylor Ross, Savannah Febesh All Long Island – Mindy Weiss All-State – Mindy Weiss SECOND TEAM ALL-LONG ISLAND (Newsday) – Savannah Febesh

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Courtney Pozzi, Yasmin Kibria, Lucy Petropoulos, Erika Vidal, Alix Heffron, Coach Pat Ehardt. Bottom: Ali White, Sam Statfeld, Olivia Youngwall, Emily Heid.

Girls overcome challenges, rally as determined team

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rom the start of the season, the girls JV field hockey team faced many challenges, the greatest of which was the question of whether or not there would even be a team. For a program that has a tradition of working hard to achieve success, facing defeat was not an option. The answer to our question was simple: go out and convince girls why playing field hockey would be a great experience for them.

The only requirements were to be committed and positive and to work hard. Well, that is exactly what we got.

The girls were able to gather enough new girls to have a JV team. Our challenges were to get the girls cleared to play, and then teach them the rules and how to play the game.

We were honest with ourselves about where we stood as a team in terms of our possible win-loss record, knowing the teams we would face are among the best on Long Island and the state. In the end, we finished with a record of 1-7-2.

I am proud of the team’s success, as we played shorthanded by an average of three players in each game. Three losses were by a goal and one game by 2 goals. The one game we did play at full strength resulted in a win.

All in all, the JV field hockey team showed great improvement in all areas and should be commended for their perseverance through a difficult situation. I am very proud of this team, and the good times far outweighed any frustration and obstacles we faced. Thanks for a great season.

– Coach Pat Ehardt

Sports: Go FA! Varsity Tennis

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Junior Varsity Tennis

mike damm/friends academy

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Kate Neisloss, Corinne Kohan, Eliza Budd, Abby Gluck, Meghan Lightcap, Taylor Wilkins, Allaire Heisig, Laurinane Pinto, Kirsten Loscalzo, Coach Brian Baxter. Bottom: Reoni Mapp, Nicole Katz, Sydney Menzin Not pictured: Antonia O’Hara, Alyssa Lavin, Maria Wade, Grace Dixon, Heather Feshbach, Lauren Kolodny.

Top: Coach Uterano, Jeanne Budd, Ariana Farahani, Michelle Quick, Sasha Zezulin, Hannah Walcoe, Margot Mangiarotti, Meghan Johanssen, Marielle Gobelbecker. Bottom: Frances Hilbert, Augusta Mayer, Sophie Fritz, Sarah Chartash, Carly Hitzig, Paige Elgarten. Not pictured: Colleen Stack.

Competitive season highlighted by strong individual efforts

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he Girls Varsity tennis team wrapped up a competitive season in Conference 1 this past fall with victories in two of our last three matches against Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island Lutheran. We even experienced a tough 4-3 loss to Syosset, this year’s Long Island champions! Our program is on the rise and will continue to improve as we compete against the toughest competition on Long Island and in New York State. I would like to thank our six seniors for being an important part of our program. We will miss your spirit and energy. To our returning girls, “Keep working hard... good things will happen.” This year, Taylor Wilkins, Eliza Budd and Alyssa Lavin were selected to compete in the Nassau County Individual Championships, with each winning two rounds. During our regular season, Alyssa Lavin was voted All Conference by the coaches. Taylor Wilkins, Eliza Budd, Corrine Kohan and Allaire Heisig were HM All Conference.

Young team delivers respectable record

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he girls JV Tennis season started off with a terrific turn-out for team try-outs in August. After some spirited competition and establishing the team roster, the girls participated in some intense up-tempo practices that prepared them well for the season opener. The team started strongly out of the gate at 2 and 0, before finishing the season with a very respectable record of 6 wins and 6 losses. Team camaraderie was exceptional as the girls did a great job of supporting and cheering each other on at the matches. With many of the girls returning next season, there is a great deal to look forward to for next fall.

– Coach Uterano

– Coach Brian Baxter

individual awards All Conference 1 – Alyssa Lavin All Conference 1 honorable mention – Corinne Kohan, Allaire Heisig, Taylor Wilkins, Eliza Budd All Division – Abby Gluck, Lauriane Pinto Sportmanship Conference I – Eliza Budd

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Sports: Go FA!

alums in the news

Varsity Crew

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mong the many noteworthy athletic accomplishments Friends alums can boast, here are a few that caught the attention of the alumni office recently: Nicole Bielawski ‘09 had to miss graduation in June: she was rowing her way to the gold medal in single sculls event in the US Rowing Junior Nationals. She then went on to France for the World Championships, where she finished 15th – all before enrolling at Princeton.

Nell Kucich ‘09 walked onto the Manhattanville varsity tennis team and wound up playing second singles and second doubles this fall.

Alex Giocondi ‘07, an attackman for Syracuse, helped the Orangemen defend their national championship men’s Division I lacrosse title this spring.

After missing the entire 2008 football season with a knee injury, University of Connecticut specialteams starter and reserve defensive end Mike Cox ‘06 rebounded strongly and contributed to the Huskies’ stunning victory this fall over Notre Dame.

Kristin Morrison ‘06 and Lizzy Drumm ‘07 have been named co-captains of the Princeton women’s lacrosse team. The duo led the 7th-ranked Tigers to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I tournament in May, where their season ended with a tough loss to topranked Northeastern. As a sophomore, Lizzy earned honorable mention All-Ivy and second-team all-region.

Julia Browne ‘07 and her Tufts University doubles tennis partner, Meghan McCooey (niece of current FA parents Dan and Suzanne McCooey), won their second straight national championship in the Division III tournament this fall. Julia also finished third in the national singles tournament.

Renauld Williams ‘99 earned the starting linebacker job for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He helped lead his team to the CFL Grey Cup this November – the league’s counterpart to the Superbowl – where the Roughriders lost a heart-breaker to Montreal in the last second.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Jess Sawicki, Emily Browning, Matt Kuczmarski, CeCe Judge, Dan DeCamello. Bottom: Coach Jason Moskowitz, Nina Vascotto, Rob Adams, Catryn Silbersack, Mike Gamardella, Sigal Markowitz, Coach Caitlin Chamberlin. Not pictured: Coach Allison Doherty, Miles Schuss, Emily Hawkins, Alison Kennedy, Sarah Gross, James D’Elia, Spencer Moskow.

Crews face most challenging regattas; finish 2nd at Head of the Schuylkill

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ur rowing team of only nine girls and seven boys continued celebrating the teams’ 20th anniversary with the most challenging line-up of regattas Friends Crew has ever faced. Rowers attended up to seven races competing in regional, national, and international events. Our season was off to a promising start at the King’s Head Regatta in King of Prussia, PA, and the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia.

While facing crews from the greater northeast we placed in the top half of most of our events. Mid-season, while pushing hard, all our rowers set new personal records on the indoor rowing machines. In late October, our team traveled to Boston to represent FA for the first time at the largest boat race in the world, the Head of the Charles Regatta.

The following weekend the full team returned to Philadelphia for the pinnacle of our season, The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. This extremely competitive regatta attracts high schoolers from as far as Florida and Canada.

All of our crews finished in the top one third of their events, which is extremely difficult to do. Emily Browning, Nina Vascotto, Alison Kennedy, and Jess Sawicki raced to defend our gold medal title from last year. They placed an impressive second, keeping Friends at the top of the nation’s ranking.

We finished our season with local races in Riverhead and Oyster Bay, where we collected medals in various events.

We are looking forward to building on our hard work and having an even more successful season next year!

– Coach Jason Moskowitz

Sports: Go FA!

25

Varsity Cross Country

mike damm/friends academy

Cole Valentino edges out a running rival.

mike damm/friends academy

Top: Cole Valentino, Chris Crowley, Rose Mangiarotti, Ryan Rosmarin, Peter Kaplan, Keith Durante, Sameer Massand, Brian Hom. Bottom: Zach Kriesberg, Kira Garry, Katrina Garry, Iyatunde Majekodunmi, Amanda Lamothe, Lynda Negron, Emily LeoGrande, Catherine O’Connell-Stingi.

mike damm/friends academy

Catherine O’Connell-Stingi takes on competitors.

Girls win Class C Nassau County Championships; undefeated in regular season Division and Conference competition

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unning 3.1 miles across fields, through woods and smashed school records, won the Girls Quad Meet Division up and down hills on relatively unknown terrain is a Championships, were Girls Conference Champions by very challenging athletic endeavor. Runners receive little finishing undefeated in the regular season, won the Girls recognition and have few fans, so they must run for themClass C championships, finished eighth in Class C in the selves and for their team with long-term goals in mind.

Girls State Meet, and broke personal records in meet after This year’s Cross-Country team proved that it was able to meet. The team was led by an able group of captains who handle the “loneliness of the long distance runner” and set the tone for the team by creating an atmosphere of hard demonstrated a great deal of heart and true grit in work, positive spirit, camaraderie, and high expectations. reaching a number of The team ran a successimportant goals. Every ful Fun Run at Fall Fair individual awards member of the team imand raised over $350 to All-Division IV B – Ryan Rosmarin, Sameer Massand, proved by leaps and bounds purchase books for Light Chris Crowley, Katrina Garry, Kira Garry, Catherine throughout the season.

One Little Candle, the O’Connell-Stingi, Rose Mangiarotti They should all feel charity established by the All-Conference IV – Ryan Rosmarin, Sameer proud of how they reprelate Joelle Pauporté ‘87 to Massand, Katrina Garry, Kira Garry, Catherine sented Friends Academy promote bonding between O’Connell-Stingi in a number of difficult cancer patients and their All-County Class C – Ryan Rosmarin (class C chamsituations. Whether it was children through reading. pion) Katrina Garry, Kira Garry (class C champion), struggling up Cardiac Hill, Coach Garry and Coach Rose Mangiarotti fighting through flu sympLash enjoyed working All-County All Class – Ryan Rosmarin, Kira Garry toms, or traveling to Plattswith such a fine group of State Qualifers – Ryan Rosmarin, Sameer Massand, burgh to slog through a 5K athletes and are proud of FA Girls XC team in the rain and mud, Friends what they accomplished All-State Class C – Kira Garry (3rd place) Academy runners demonindividually and collecstrated their ability to rise to tively.

Qualifier for NY State Federation Meet – Kira – Coach Louisa Garry Garry (38th) the occasion and compete to the best of their ability. We New School Record for 5K – Ryan Rosmarin, Kira Garry

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Faculty Milestones Faculty Professional Development

In May of 2009, Amanda Fisk,* Communications Media, Photography and Technical Support, completed her Masters of Fine Arts in Digital Arts, graduating with high honors from Pratt Institute. She was also inducted into the Pratt Institute Circle Society for Academic Excellence.

Matt Davison, Upper School Latin and Greek teacher, earned his Ph.D in Classics and defended his dissertation in Latin Poetry, focusing on 1st century AD from the University of California, Irvine last spring.

Meghan Stott,* Lower School science teacher, recently completed her Masters of Education in K-8 Science from Walden University. She spent two years working towards this degree which was a combination of science and education courses.

This degree has helped her develop an inquiry-based science program geared towards Lower School students.

Allison Mullen,* Middle School math teacher and MS Dean, recently received her Master of Science Degree in School Counseling from NYIT and was the 2009 Marie Quinn Scholarship Award Winner.

Maxine Lifshitz, Upper School Mathematics Department Head was inducted into the Long Island Math Teacher’s Hall of Fame.

This is an outstanding honor awarded to three or four master teachers each year who have contributed in a significant way to enhance the teaching of mathematics at the secondary school level.

Maxine is the only awardee from an independent school. * Friends Academy helped support their academic studies.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Former Faculty Notes Former Lower School teacher and Development quite busy: “We’re living on Oak Island in North Officer Amanda Golding Riegel and her husband, Carolina. We play tennis, golf, bicycle, walk and Chip, became first-time parents on May 3, 2008, spend time at the beach. I’m in a bowling league and welcoming Peyton Barber into the world. play some poker on occasion. The Oak Island tennis Former Lower School teacher James Betts retired team that I play for has won the County Championas Head of the Brooklyn Montessori School in June ship the last three seasons. I also referee lacrosse in 2008. the spring. We see Candy and Ward Seibert (former Former Middle School Spanish teacher Beatriz Lower and Middle School teacher) fairly often. They Sanchez became a mom with the birth of her son, live only 2 miles from our son, Erik, and his family Enrique. Bea lives in Madrid, where she in Cary, NC. We really enjoy seeing Claudia teaches high school English. and Marty Jacobson (former Lower School Former Upper School history teacher teacher and Athletic Director, respectively) Jacques Pierre writes, “Things on this end when we travel to Florida and when they are great. Still living in Brooklyn with visit on Oak Island and Cape Cod. my wife, Kelly, and our two kids, Oona Former Early Childhood teacher and and Jacques Jr. Left education to become current FA Trustee Doris Pailet writes, “Hi lawyer. Worked for a large firm for a couple All! Can’t believe am retired nearly 9 of years and now doing a one year clerkship years! Bucket list is not even half empty! for the Chief Justice of the New Jersey So much to anticipate doing. Lately taken Supreme Court. up golf, and my Spanish learning courses Former Middle School are still going on when in Florida. ConcertFormer Middle/Upper School librarian Spanish teacher Mary Ann Putnam writes, “I live at my going, special events, exercise keep us busy Beatriz Sanchez and computer. I am now chair of the Hilton here. Am also active in both here and her son, Enrique.

Head International Piano Competition, L.I. branches of AAUW, fund-raising for which took place in March this year. It was scholarships for girls planning to go into an incredible musical event. engineering, math and sciences. Lots of volunteer Andy and Melanie Cooper-Leary, former drama work in winters while in FL. SHOEBOX project here teacher and French/Spanish teacher, respectively, live in full swing – gathering and packing what could be in New York City with their two boys Jesse (8) and called CARE packages...for the Iraq and Afghanistan Marcus (2). The boys attend the Bank Street School children, citizens, U.S. and Internationals serving for Children. Melanie still teaches French at Fieldston there. Many food banks here in which to help also. while Andy is teaching theater at the Hackley School.

Volunteering at the county library continues to be (Andy and Melanie met at FA, when he was teaching satisfying. We also distribute quality, donated books drama and she was teaching French.) to under-served area schools for the children to keep.

Former Headmaster Marc Hurlbut, and his wife, Many don’t have even one book of their own! It’s Pat Hurlbut (former FA nurse), are doing well in Calialways a delight to return to FA for any reason! One fornia. They are in their sixth year at St. Margaret’s is never a ‘former’ member of the FA family. The Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. superb character-building atmosphere and quality Former Headmaster Rich Eldridge writes, “I’ve of offerings at FA continue to marvel. As one travels, been teaching at Rutgers for 2 1/2 years, English 101, appreciation of what Friends Academy is and does the Writing Course. That is what is keeping me from awesomely increases.” being fully retired. I also have had various jobs as Lisa and Mike Drew (former athletic trainer and a consultant in a variety of schools, the most steady Middle School teacher, respectively) live in Chatand long-lasting (over a year) being Westbury Friends tanooga, TN, where Mike is now Head of the Middle School.”

School at Baylor School, after serving as 6th grade Former Associate Headmaster Alan Craig and fordean for five years. Lisa writes, “We live in a house on mer Director of Admissions Mary Craig wrote in from campus and I work in a girls' dorm, 9-12th graders. their new high rise in Philadelphia: “We don’t get up Mike and I had a great time campaigning for Obama to LI much anymore but managed to go to a party this past year and Mike got to go to the inauguration given for Lee Peters when she retired. The last time which was a wonderful thrill for him. We had our was for Marilyn Doyle’s memorial service. There were daughter, Allie, the year we moved here – she just quite a number of past parents and students we knew turned four! Nathan is 5 1/2 and loving Pre-K. We well when we were at FA. At first it was hard to rechave learned to love being in the South, especially the ognize the students; some are way more than 30 years weather, but miss NY tremendously! old now....which makes us..........? They are enjoying Business Manager Jim Evans left Park City, UT, retirement. Mary belongs to two book clubs and Alan in January 2007 to move closer to his aging parents, volunteers at the Federal Penitentiary visiting inmates who live in Ruston, LA. He continues to work from there. He also serves as commissioner for the accredihis home office for Western Governors University tation of Independent schools in Pennsylvania. (www.wgu.edu) as an online faculty member in their Michael Epperhart, former MS/US Strings teacher, Teachers College. played bass on the Fiddler on the Roof National Tour, Former Upper School history teacher Liz Roosevelt starring Topel. This followed the last 5 years on the is leading a very active life in retirement. She is on road with Evita, Cats and Joseph and the Amazing the board of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, which Technicolor Dreamcoat. When not out on tour, Michael recently mounted an exhibit called “The Roosevelts… lives in Las Vegas.

It Wasn’t All Politics.” The show featured family Liza Taluzan, former learning specialist, and Jorge artwork from the past century, including photography Vega, former drama teacher and tech department

by Liz. In May 2008, on behalf of the Roosevelt Fammember, added to their clan this spring: On March ily, Liz accepted the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary’s 24 at 10:15 a.m. Liza gave birth to their third child, a annual Legacy of Conservation Award. Liz’s grandson, Evan Eduardo Talusan Vega. parents, W. Emlen and Christine Roosevelt, donated Judy and Kal Wynot, former Assistant Athletic the money to start the Sanctuary. Both events comDirector, report that in “retirement” they’ve become memorated the 150th anniversary of TR’s birth.

Alumni News

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from president the Peter Stein ‘79

Dear Fellow Alumni,

even more purposeful and relevant connections. The Alumni Board was energized by feedback from the Today’s current events underscore the importance of recent survey we sent out. Responding to a growing the values our Quaker education instilled in us. Hondesire among younger adults to widen their professional esty and integrity top the list, perhaps, but simplicity, reach, the Alumni Association inaugurated a networkmoderation, respect, and the selfless attitude called for ing social event this past March in NYC for young by caring service to others come to mind as well. alums. In the fall the school installed an interactive The economic tsunami that has engulfed “domain” for alums, My BackPack, on the FA the world is also a dramatic reminder of Web site, to help us share what we’re up to and how we are all interconnected, and that to get a hold of each other. The alumni pages each of us has a responsibility to the health of the Web site are chock-full of interesting and well-being of the community – local highlights and photos of alums from around and global. the world.

Individuals draw strength from their In addition, Friends Academy has a significommunities, as communities are strengthcant and growing presence on Facebook, with ened by the quality of their members. The about 700 members in the Friends Academy alumni community is no exception. We Alumni Association group and an increasing may not live within common, well-defined number of individual classes setting up groups borders, but we share values and a world as well. I am on Facebook – proof that it’s a Peter Stein ’79, view, on a human level, that are reinforced user-friendly tool that does not discriminate Friends Academy by active membership in that community. by age! – and I’m not alone from my “era.”

Alumni The Friends Academy Alumni AssociaMembership is just a click away. You’ll be Association tion is all of us; its value depends on our amazed at how dynamic and effective it is – President involvement. Just the act of reading this and it’s a blast! issue of The Meeting House reflects your inWhile events bring us together and technolvolvement, and, I hope, will motivate you to be engaged ogy keeps us connected in ways never before possible, in a variety of possible ways. the school we love, and that shaped us all, is laying We are excited by the camaraderie that many hunthe same, high-quality ethical foundation for those dreds of alums at Fall Fair & Homecoming and the NYC who will soon join us in the alumni community. Bill Reunion enjoyed in 2009. Volunteers from the Alumni Morris’s forthright and informative letter outlining the Board worked with class reps to make gatherings for school’s challenges reflected the difficulty facing us all, “special year” classes well attended and memorable. The but at the same time inspired confidence that Friends Alumni Art Show in the fall of 2008, with the opening is honoring its commitment to fulfill its mission. We artists’ reception on Fall Fair day, was a spectacular sucknow that education is a labor of love. We know, too, cess, with works in multiple genres by alums spanning that the value of our Friends education far almost 70 years. Hoopsters returned to campus for exceeds what we paid for it. And we know that the the ninth annual Alumni Basketball Game, in-college school needs our support to continue providing the alums shared advice with eleventh graders entering the same kind of life-changing experiences for today’s college process, alums gave inspiring talks at assemstudents. blies and alumni representing a variety of professions Looking forward to seeing all of you soon – in person, contributed to Middle School Career Day. Informal or virtually! – and please contact us with your thoughts. gatherings in NYC kept many of us in touch with each other and our common roots.

The Alumni Board members and the alumni office have their collective eye on opportunities to facilitate

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

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Alumni News

author’s corner T

ake a look at some of the most recent books, poetry and writings

by Friends Academy alumni:

2009 NYC Reunion Held June 1, 2009, at the Yale Club

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Maria Espinosa ’56: Dying Unfinished, published by Wings Press.

Matthew Stevenson ’72: Remembering the Twentieth Century Limited (historical essays), published by Odysseus Books.

Kimi Puntillo ’75: Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World, published by Bantam.

Jennifer Briggs Stanley ’88: The Battered Body, the fifth book in her supper club mystery series, published by Midnight Ink.

Anthony Bozza ‘89: Too Fat to Fish, published by Random House, and Why AC/DC Matters, published

by HarperCollins.

Kathryn Maris ’89: The Book of Jobs (collection of poetry), published by Four Way Books.

Poems published in the following: PushcartPrize Anthology XXXIII, published

by Pushcart Press.

Women’s Work: Modern Women Poets Writing in English, published by Seren.

DarkMatter: Poems of Space, published by Gulbenkian Press.

PomegranateSeeds: An Anthology of Greek-American Poetry, published by Somerset Hall Press.

1. 1993 classmates Jillian Stile and Todd Jacobson with Middle School Art teacher John Regan (center).

Alison Pace ’89: City Dog, starring her dog,

2. Alumni Association President Peter Stein ‘79 (left) with former Physics teacher Roger Richardson, who was honored at the event on the occasion on his retirement after 37 years of service to FA students.

Liz Siris Winchester ‘91: The Right Bite:

3. 1995 classmates (left to right) Jackie Dessaure and Shaunda Miles with Upper School Principal Deb Schoman (right).

Charlie, published by Penguin.

Dentists as Detectives, and Sisters and Brothers: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Siblings and Yourself.

Both published by Scholastic.

4. Former faculty who attended included (left to right) Lila Gordon, Alec Dick, Lillian Gilden, Roger Erickson, and Pat Parmelee.

5. Shayna Farrell ‘05, Francesca Batista ‘05, Angela Batista ‘04.

6. Classmates Ron Mitchell and Kristen Jones Connell ‘88 enjoy a moment with former Math teacher Alec Dick.

7. Former Trustee Jim Greene ‘74 (center) with his sons, Jonathan ‘07 (left) and David ‘04.

8. Alumni Board members Pam Foschi Danbusky ‘97 and Lis Dillof Dreizen ‘78

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Class Notes These Class Notes reflect news collected this past summer and fall. News from earlier in the year and from late 2008 is posted on the alumni pages of the Friends Academy website, www.fa.org. Class Reps will reach out to classmates soon for updates to be included in the next issue of the magazine. You can always send your news to the alumni office by e-mailing alumni@fa.org or writing to Friends Academy Alumni Office, 270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Enjoy!

1934 Walter J. Wilson 548 N. Main Street Apt. 312 Ashland, OR 97520 (503) 482-6920 At the October 3 Homecoming Reception following Fall Fair – and on the occasion of his 75th Reunion!

– Donald Pollitt was honored by the Alumni Association for his unwavering commitment and involvement.

1937 Jean Davis Chapman 225 Garden Street Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 (516) 621-2961 We recently received the news of the passing of Douglas Lapierre. He died in November 2007. He was living in McLean, VA.

1945 Joy Mayes Brown West Center Road P.O. Box 239 Otis, MA 01253 (413) 269-6398 Sheila Morrisey Potter 37 Lawnwood Avenue Longmeadow, MA 01106 (413) 567-0988 sheila77long@aol.com Sheila Morrisey Potter wrote to the alumni office: “The highlights of this year for me were my 60th Vassar Reunion in early June on campus, connecting with dear friends on a glorious weather-wise weekend.

Lots of fun activities. I exchanged lots of pictures with my fellow reunioners and was floating on cloud 9 for days afterward. Next was in early November when my only grandson married a wonderful young woman in Chevy Chase, MD. My family came by plane and car on Thursday and Friday, when the rehearsal and dinner took place. Then on Saturday, before the wedding, I was able to take my great niece and her boyfriend (both work in DC, where our hotel was) to brunch and have a good visit. The wedding was outdoors in mid-afternoon on the Audubon Society grounds in a lovely pavilion. The weather was sunny and in the 60s for the first time in a month without rain, and the reception and dinner were inside the building. It was such a lot of fun that again the rosy glow remained for days.”

1952 Margaret Whitney Shiels 5427 FM 2515 Kaufman, TX 75142 972-962-8124 mspaumanok@aol.com We received the sad news of the passing of Dan Hornbostel, on November 19. Margaret Whitney Shiels sent the following to the alumni office: Dan graduated from Lehigh in 1957 with bachelor degrees in physics and engineering physics. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving as a ballistic missile targeting officer at Strategic Air Command from 1957 to 1961. He is survived by wife Sharlene, sons Scott, Kent and Marc and six grandchildren. The class of 1952 had only 31 members. Half of these were boarding students. Dan and his fellow boarders were very close and described themselves as “family.” He was a high academic, athlete and class leader at Friends Academy. All of us consider our years at Friends to be some of the most important ones of our lives. Letters of condolence may be sent to Sharlene Hornbostel at: 19 High Point, Saylorsville, PA. 18353 or 570-992-8831. Memorial remembrances to Friends Academy in his name would be most appropriate.”

1955 Doris Atwater Bouwensch 209 Green Way Wayland, MA 01778-2622 (508) 358-3454

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ner” football is on his calendar lately, and he supplied the pictures for a book his daily walking partner (they do 3-4 miles a day in rustic North Hunterdon County, NJ) just published about the trails they covered. Jim has produced a nice 3-minute video on one of these walks that he’ll be happy to send you via email, and it includes music from his granddaughter’s concert. Sally (Sarah) Leonori Pusey reports that she has “moved to Calistoga at the north end of the gorgeous Napa Valley. The year started on an up-note at my sister’s house in Italy. Throughout the year I have been improving my basket-making skills as well as writing numerous letters to California’s representatives in Washington.” Allan Munro reported in our last column that he had moved to New London, NH. His brother Blake, FA ’61, and his wife Denise visited this fall to view the foliage. His daughter, Amy, is a junior and his son, Jonathan, is a freshman at Kimball Union Academy, where Al finished high school after being at FA from 3rd grade through 10th. Al retired fully as of last March, and is now focusing on chairing a $38 million capital campaign for KUA. The current Chairman of the Board of KUA, who took over after Al’s 7 year tenure as chair, taught at FA for a few years in the late 70s. Small world! Al was pleased to see Connie Eadie Hellman and Mike Hellman at their 50th Dartmouth Reunion, and had hoped to see Pete Klinge there as well, but had to be satisfied with a phone call. Al rightly wonders whether we’re going to celebrate our 55th reunion in 2010.

1956

Arthur M. Geoffrion 322 24th St. Santa Monica, CA 90402 (310) 394-0185 arthur.geoffrion@anderson.ucla.edu Art Geoffrion enjoyed an excellent 50th Cornell reunion in June, and saw Naomi Johnson Dempsey there.

He and his wife spent July in the Colorado mountains as usual, went to Australia’s Gold Coast in September for the ITU Triathlon World Championships (she medaled), and had an enjoyable family reunion in Disney World over Thanksgiving with both daughters’ families and a cousin. Staying at Disney’s Kidani Village near Animal Kingdom, they had the unusual thrill of waking up every morning to see giraffes and other large animals right outside their balcony. The class website is alive and well at Google Sites; let Art know if you have any trouble getting in. Important Tip: there is no way today to make digital archival copies of your digital photos, Word documents, and other precious digital files, lock those copies in a safe place, and then expect them to be viewable or useful after a couple of decades. Until trustworthy digital perpetual-preservation vaults become available, you’d better either write an apology into your will or periodically organize and print on acid-free paper everything of interest to your posterity. Jim Graham has discovered a new way to recall what happened during the year when life has become a blur: go back over your credit card statements. [Ed. Another way is to review your digital photos.] He was reminded of a grandson’s graduation in June from George Mason University (then via ROTC into the U.S. Army), a visit to Maine in July to overdose on lobster, and a visit to Hobart-William Smith in upstate New York recently to attend a granddaughter’s choir concert. “Pop War-

Members of the class of 1956 celebrating their collective 70th birthdays in North Carolina. Front left: Susan Horne Thomas. Front right: Wendy Crane Odenweller & Jean Esval Stillwell. Rear left to right: John Hewlett, Morley Smith, Anne Wauchope Smith and Peter Galbraith.

Anne Wauchope Smith 297 London Drive Beaconsfield Quebec H9W 5Z1 Canada (514) 695-1951 awsmith@total.net Paula Maria Espinoza has published another novel, Dying Unfinished, published under the name Maria Espinoza. She gave a reading from the work and hosted a discussion at the Barnes and Noble in Manhasset this summer.

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Class Notes

1959 Abbie G. Freedman 1312 Mark West Spring Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (707) 579-1312 abgfree@comcast.net Anne Schwiebert 1075 Mill Creek Drive Southold, NY 11971 631-765-1202 vzes47mg@verizon.net Nineteen classmates attended the 50th Reunion Weekend at Friends on October 23 and 24. The reunion began with a leisurely luncheon on Friday in the Jackson House, a traditional Quaker residence that was moved to campus from Jericho in the early 1990s. The house serves as a reception venue as well as the residence of the Headmaster, Bill Morris, and his wife, Sue. The luncheon was followed by a campus tour. Groups of classmates dined at various restaurants Friday evening. On Saturday, Friends hosted a reception for the five reunion classes that had decided to keep their gatherings on that weekend as originally scheduled. Reunion dinners followed, and the class of 1959 had a wonderful time at Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club where Sarah Glenn Meyer had arranged the dinner. Gerry Bocian, Sarah Glenn Meyer, Bob Pickels, Anne Schwiebert, David Seeler, Sally and John Wenger, Carol and Bob Seaman, Charlie Jameson and Dana, Bruce Burrows and Gay, Dave Warden and Judy and Bonnie Rouzee Clarey and Steve, Sam Sugden and Diane, and Anne Schwiebert were there for the whole weekend. Tom Carter, Dan Voorhees and Diana, Sue Guerin Dundon and Marty Livingston McDermott had to leave after Friday’s luncheon. Karen Willits Zentgraf, Jim Sykes and Gerry Whitehead joined the group for dinner Saturday. BJ Schoen Brundige ‘63, a member of the Alumni Board, helped with pre-weekend planning and attended the luncheon on Friday. Kate Milham Lattimer had planned to attend the weekend’s events, but her mother’s illness kept her home at the last minute. We received the sad news that her mother died in the beginning of November. She was 99! In other news, Judith Reeve had arthroscopic surgery to clean out her knee. She is on the mend, though in occasional pain. Hopefully a knee replacement is still years away.

1960 Dona Fagan Arnow 14901 Talking Rock Court North Potomac, MD 20878 (301) 294-0823 arnowtrans@aol.com Everyone at FA is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 1960 at the 50th-Year Reunion festivities in October. Bob Powell (vigihawk@cox.net) is working with various classmates as well as the alumni office and representatives of the Alumni Board on details, which will be sent out soon. Barbara Rogers Johnson wrote in: “I am married to Douglas Johnson, with 3 children and 7 grandchildren and we live in Oceanside, CA. We just celebrated our 45th Anniversary. We recently were back in Long Island this October 2009 and visited the school and was amazed at all the new

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

buildings. The first thing I looked for was the old gym and found a first grade sign on the window. It was fun showing my husband around.” Dave Warden and his wife, Judy, partook in the class of 1959 festivities celebrating the 50th Reunion in October (see details above). Dave had been their classmate before leaving FA and then returning to graduate in 1960.

1961 Park Benjamin III P.O. Box 368 Oyster Bay, NY 11771 516-628-0667 PBEN3@optonline.net Craig White’s company, Satellite Security Systems, is working with the school in connection with the temporary classrooms in the Quad, set up to allow for interior renovation of the Lower School. The children will move back into the building this spring.

Park Benjamin continues to serve on the Alumni Association Board, which provides feedback, suggestions and volunteer efforts regarding events and communication.

Barbara Shoen Brundige 1630 Stewart Lane Laurel Hollow, NY 11791 (516) 367-1972 bjbrundige@aol.com Paula E. Howe 4914 Eigel Street Houston, TX 77007-3326 713-863-7541 phowe@houston.rr.com Alumni Board member Barabara Shoen Brundige helped special-year reunion classes (ending in 4 and 9) with their reunions in October, and added a distinctive touch by assembling special giveaways for attendees. She was a guest of honor at the Class of 1959 50th-Year Reunion Luncheon in the Jackson House.

1964 Thatcher Wilson proudly wears the emblem of the alma mater of her grandmother, Suzanne Notides ’64 and Eric Melzig ’64.

1962 Randi Reeve Filoon RRF, P.O. Box 5495 Ketchum, ID 83340 filoons@yahoo.com Sandy Ray Holland, besides being published yet again for her interior design work (in House Beautiful) this past year, has also gone from being a grandmother of one to a grandmother of four in this past year! As for me, Randi Reeve Filoon, I retired from over 40 years of being an interior designer to being a very happy grandmother of five (under 4 years of age). We had all of our children and our grandchildren on Cape Cod this past summer, as well as my very sharp 92-yearold mother. We took a wonderful trip to the South of France as well as to Scotland this past fall. Fred and I are now living between Boston and Sun Valley, ID. Let me know if you come my way. There aren’t too many Filoons in the phone book! I had lunch with Melissa Fox in Cambridge a couple of weeks ago and we figured out that we had not seen each other in 45+ years – and the good news is that we recognized each other! She works at MIT as administrative assistant to the Director of The Center for Global Change Science, which is part of the Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science.

1963

Several from the class of ’63 at the Alumni Art Show opening at Fall Fair & Homecoming 2008, celebrating their 45th reunion: (left to right) Paula Howe, Sally Hicks Cugini, Alumni Board member Barbara Shoen Brundige; (back) Sally Parlette Sams.

Suzanne Notides Melzig 104 E. Hillcrest Ave. Richmond, VA 23226 (804) 358-7626 snmelzig@comcast.net Lesley Birkett Jacobs, who spearheaded the 40th Reunion gathering on October 24, reports: “What a lovely time your classmates had, despite your appalling absence! No, really, we missed you, but we managed to have a very, very nice time, as usual. Here is who showed: Douglas Altchek and his beautiful wife, Angela, Patty Burrows and her husband, Milt, who tried very hard to behave, Cathie Bush Wardell, looking as beautiful as ever. Indira Licht Garner, like Cathie, almost unchanged since graduation and also very loyal (hmmmm), Nina Stein Wolf and her husband, Irwin, who is now a quasi-member of the class, since he has shown up more than a lot of you. Oh, I forget my plan to be pleasant. Where was I? Oh, yes, back to loyalty: Mickey Salgo drove through torrential rains to join us (eh-hem) and I was there too, smiling and working the crowds, as is my custom. Oh, and you missed seeing pictures of Baby Alice Moeller, the most beautiful granddaughter in the world. Think of the influence you could help me exert. Think of our 50th Reunion. It isn’t that far away. And the FA Alumni Association has started giving goody bags to Those Who Show Up. Eh hem. Well worth the trip, dear chums. And Douglas and Patty and all of us there want to encourage you to come for another sweet time. It really was. The Basil Leaf is our favorite restaurant and only the company was better than the food. So, start thinking of how you can be there in just 5 years. In the alternative, just imagine how crusty I might become......”

Class Notes 1966 Helen “Sandy” Lotowycz Rising 98 South Bay Avenue Brightwaters, NY 11718 (631) 666-0135 HRising@aol.com Sandy reported the passing of Lynn Markowitz, mother of Jan Markowitz Dubin. Jan and Sandy got together for a nice walk at Planting Fields Arboretum.

1968 Lesley Graham ‘68 with her 94-yearold father, on the couch at Thanksgiving, under a portrait of Lesley’s late mother.

Lesley L. Graham 615 NW Murphy Blvd Joplin, MI 64801 417-781-1858 llgraham@cableone.net Lesley Graham spent Thanksgiving with her 94-yearfather, who is doing “amazingly well.”

1969 Jane Forelle Casey 1190 Pequot Avenue P.O. Box 469 Southport, CT 06890 (203) 256-8979 forlkc@optonline.net Thanks to Lucy Gould Reitzfeld and Sandy Minc, who spearheaded the communications and details of the class’s 40th Reunion on October 24! The event began with the alumni reception at the Jackson House, which serves as a reception space as well as the home of Head of School Bill Morris and his wife, Sue. The class then had dinner at Milleridge Inn. Aside from Lucy and Sandy, Candy Barr, Chrisin Kunz Case, John Gambling, Lesley Murphy Lee, Spencer Lovette, Misty Moody, Tony Pastor, Peter Picoli, and Fred Ryan enjoyed the festivities.

1972 Sarah Hollet Hossfeld 125 Kellog Street Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-0955 sphh54@gmail.com

From Sarah: “Last May, Jamie Bergford and her husband Geoff Parkins were back East. My husband, John, and I had dinner with them and Jane Dillof Mincer and her husband, and Larry. Jamie and Geoff are now grandparents. Their daughter, Lesley, who has been married for a few years, had a little boy in early September. Their son, Cameron, lives in Los Angeles where he went to college and then stayed on. While he was at college, on one of their Parents Weekend jaunts they spent some time with Kevin Glynn. As to my household, John and I are total empty nesters.

Elizabeth lives in Delray Beach, FL, and Willet is located in Boston. In the winter, which is not my season, it is nice to have an excuse to head to Florida. Boston isn’t so far so we head up or Willet comes down frequently. I continue teaching first grade at Green Vale and John works in high-end residential construction as both an estimator and a project manager in New York City.”

1974 Evette Beckett-Tuggle 2 Dana’s Island Way Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 671-6377 eob2@aol.com Jackie Feldman Aaron, Tom Cullen, Gray Goodman, Mike Gordon, Adele MacDonald Kristiansson, Ed Weiss, Laura Schmidt and Evette Beckett-Tuggle enjoyed the October 24 35th Reunion Dinner, hosted by Evette.

Dinner was preceded by Friends alumni reception at the Jackson House. Bruce Wood has joined the firm Cummings & Lockwood LLC as a Principal in the Commercial Group resident in the Stamford, CT, office. Bruce lives in Darien. Roger Gilmartin writes that he was affected by the recession back in February this year when his job as a technical writer at Time Warner Cable was eliminated by cost cutting. Fortunately, his severance package included three months free with an outplacement service, where he learned how to look for a job all over again, particularly in this market. He attended job support meetings and networking events, sent a lot of emails and made phone calls. Finally, he got an offer for a full-time position as a technical writer with Bank of America, which started October 5. Roger’s wife, Leslee, continues to practice estate planning law after 20 years. Her firm had quite a few layoffs this year, but she was not among them. His older son is in 11th grade and is starting to look more seriously at colleges. He’s also rediscovered a passion for baseball and plans to try out for the school team in the spring. His younger son has had his learner’s permit for several months and will take the state driving test early next year. He’s continued to play school and league basketball and is now officiating league games for younger players.

1975 Tilde Mariani Giacché Salita Falconara, 11 19032 San Terenzo di Lerici La Spezia Italy tildemgiacche@yahoo.com Kimi Puntillo published her first book, Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World, a reflection on her intrepid experiences running around the world! Kimi was the keynote speaker at

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FA’s Middle School Career Day in November, which featured 10 alumni discussing perspectives on their professional pursuits with the students. The event was developed and managed by Penelope Wylie Mayer, who serves as vice president of the Alumni Association. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue.

1978 Thomas Hawkins 123 Duck Pond Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 671-8977 THawkins@lehman.com We received the sad news of the death of Lisa Heyman, in February, following an illness. A blog where tributes can be posted is at http://lheyman.blogspot.com.

Greg Gavin gave students an informative look at the world of financial trading at Middle School Career Day in November. Greg is Chief Operating Partner of the firm Gavin, Benton Popora. Greg Andrea also participated in Career Day. He is a partner in the firm of Andrea Baker Architects, which has offices in Locust Valley and NYC. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue.

1979

Todd Aufiero ’79 (right) with former Navy aviator and 747 captain Bob “Boom” Powell ‘60, next to the plane Todd flew under Boom’s supervision in the Air Combat USA “Fighter-Pilot-for-a-Day” program.

Pamela Picoli Haggerty 9 Johnston Street Locust Valley, NY 11560 676-0214 pmpicoli@optonline.net Carol Lind Stone regrets not being able to attend the 30th Reunion Dinner on Oct. 3. She sent in an update: “I started flying in 1978, between our junior and senior years at FA. I have been a pilot for USAirways since 1988, presently flying the Airbus 319/320/321 series aircraft. My husband and I live on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, where we moved in 1999 so that I may be closer to my Philadelphia crew base. Before that, we lived in Antwerp, Belgium, for ten years. Yes, I commuted to work as a passenger across the Atlantic Ocean for ten years. I can beat anybody’s commuting story. Besides flying, I work for our pilot’s union as a NTSB trained aircraft accident investigator. I was part of a team that worked the

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32

Class Notes

ALEX EDWARDS-BOURDREZ/friends academy

(Left to right) FA varsity boys basketball coach Steve Hefele; FA JV boys basketball coach Matt Simeone; Jonathan Koenig ‘04; Rob Abney ‘05; Jeff Daniels ‘90; David Weitz ‘07; Joe Dolisi ‘09 (left in lower school); Mike Ford ‘07; Jeremy Koufakis ‘09; Anthony Toran, a friend of former English teacher Sidney Bridges; Frank Dolisi ‘07 (left in lower school); Rob Kamilaris ‘08; Kwasi Boah ‘99; Harrison Hefele ‘09; Josh Jacobson ‘07.

2009 Alumni Basketball Game

T

Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009

he ninth annual Alumni Basketball Game, which pits former FA boys hoopsters against each other, offered six quarters (these guys don’t run out of gas) of exciting action over Thanksgiving break 2009.

Expertly refereed by Coach Steve Hefele, the game featured alums from as far back as 1990 – all coached by Steve in their FA playing days.

“It’s always great to see these guys,” said Coach Hef. “I love catching up with their lives, and I enjoy the spirit they bring back to campus. Their level of play is pretty impressive, too! It’s always a hard-fought game, and we enjoy each other’s company afterward.”

Each year, according to tradition, the players gather after the game at Buckram Stables in Locust Valley for refreshments and an opportunity to reconnect in a more relaxed way.

The enduring enthusiasm about the event has grown out of Coach Hef’s above-and-beyond interest in his current and former players, as well as the annual organizing push from Clay Siegert ‘92.

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USAirways 1549 forced landing in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. I see Marja Brandon, who lives in Seattle with her family, and Emily Paulsen, who lives in Maryland near Washington, D.C., with her family.

They are both well.” The 30th Reunion Dinner at the Soundview Restaurant in Glen Cove on October 3 was a big success. In addition to the organizer, Pam Picoli Haggerty, the following attended and had a great time: Alexandra Troy Beattie, Dan Burnside, Tami Bitter Cook, John DiMatteo, Mark Diamond, Susan Colombo Fitzpatrick, Gary Futterman, Dan Gleitman, Leslie Fromm Hyder, Amanda Walpin Leath, Dan Leon, Jennifer Thayer Naylor, Pam Newkirk-Arkin, Bill Nichols, Jim Perkins, Doug Rodger, Doug Schneider, Rob Alan Siegel, and Peter Stein. Alexandra Troy Beattie and her catering company, Culinary Architect, provided an elegant and delicious spread for alumni celebrating special-year reunions on October 24. She also turned students onto the art of cooking and catering at Middle School Career Day in November. Peter Stein also participated in Career Day, using detailed models to show the intricacies of surgery on joints and bones.

Peter is Chief of Hand Surgery at North Shore University Hospital. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue.

1982 Susan Pierez wrote in: “I attended an engagement party in June for fellow FA classmates Leslie Oren and Michael Poulkhine who were married in October in LA where Leslie lives. They met at our 25th reunion in ‘07 and began dating! Robbin Mitchell, John Corcoran and Ed Balazs hosted the engagement party, which was wonderful.”

1984 Beth Anne Melkmann 162 East 80th Street, Apt. 3B New York, NY 10075 (212) 988-1753 lebonchien@aol.com Mike Errico performed a holiday show on December 17 at Joe’s Pub in Manhattan. (Check him out on Facebook.) He brought his diverse perspective on the entertainment business to campus for Middle School Career Day in November. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue.

1986 Katharine Posillico McGowan participated in Middle School Career Day in November, explaining the insand-outs of interior design. Katharine has her own consulting company, KJ Interior Design. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue. Kate Hawkins Schneider continues to serve on the Alumni Association Board, and she is vice president of the Parent Council. Her sons, Alex and Nicholas, are in eighth and sixth grades, respectively.

1987 Barry D. Joseph 150 Joralemon Street, 3A Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-222-3563 barry@globalkids.org

Emily Beiles Kaufman 7 Beechwood Drive Apt 19 K Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-785-0907 emkaufman@optonline.net On July 16, 2009, Karen Daly Haeusler and her husband, Darren, welcomed their first child, Henry Ivan, who weighed in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and measured 20.5 inches tall.

1987 classmates Ellyn Forquer, Chris Murphy, Genn Geller, and Doug Martocci at a gathering at Genn’s house in White Plains, NY.

1988 Eileen McGlinchey Hume 353 Hickory Avenue Garwood, NJ 07027 908 789 3396 eileen@kingsindian.com Jennifer Koppelman Hutt gave students a behindthe-scenes look at TV and Radio production and broadcasting at Middle School Career Day in November. She is co-host of the talk show Whatever! on SIRIUS/XM radio. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue. Melissa Errico returned to the Boadway stage this holiday season to star in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. She and her husband, Patrick McEnroe, now have three children. Twins Diana and Juliette joined older sister Victoria in October 2008.

Matthew Unger ’88 on duty in Iraq in January 2009.

Class Notes 1989 Adam and Barri Fruitbine 375 Faletti Circle River Vale, NJ 07675 201-391-3040 AFruitbine@aol.com JoAn Monaco The Sophian Plaza 4618 Warwick Blvd., #7E Kansas City, MO 64112 (816) 753-2410 joanLmonaco@aol.com Classmates turned out in great numbers (25) – several with significant others – for the 20th Reunion Dinner on October 24, held at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville. Before the dinner, Friends hosted a reception for the classes that had decided to keep their reunions that weekend. JoAn Monaco’s great slide show took the group down memory lane at the dinner. She also announced that the class’s reunion gift would be directed to the FA science department in memory of Adam Ross. Contributions for the gift can be made at any time – no deadline. The party lasted until midnight, when the management gently shepherded the guests to the door! Attending were Amanda and Park Benjamin (their two daughters, Avery, 4, and Caroline, 21 months, enjoyed the reception before retiring to the home of their grandfather, Alumni Board member Park Benjamin ‘61); Peter Bohner; Zander Byers; Phil Canelli; John D’Addario; Adam Fruitbine; Jennifer Meltzer Geller and her husband, Richard; Vik Iyengar; Chrystal Jordan; Glenn Judson; JoAn Monaco and her husband, Michael Karellas; Steve Kunken; Ginger and Kevin McNally; Ali Pace; Michèle Pauporté and her husband, Ben Patton; Nicole Petallides-Tsiolas, Wendy Posillico, Deborah and Ben Rising; Joanna Lawrence Schwartz, Saloni and Sandip Singh – and their infant son, Aaray, who enjoyed both events; Josh Slater; Jen Padgett Sticklin and her husband, David; Wendy Quinn Tufano; Gail Havekotte Vlacich; and Tanya Zuckerbrot Beyer. Looking forward to the 25th!

Samantha Hancock Lenz 16 Brecon Road London W68PU United Kingdom (703) 998-9078 slenz1@hotmail.com J.P. Teutonico is Chief Administrative Officer at SecondMarket (www.secondmarket.com) in Lower Manhattan. The company is the largest centralized marketplace for illiquid assets. He reports that business is good! Josh Lohrius and his wife, Bridget, are proud new parents! Their daughter, Gracie, was born on May 3. Josh lives in Chicago and is one of the founding owners of DJ Communications, which recently received an industry award as the best small PR firm in the country. Keith Zanders is a principal with Davidson Securities (www.davidsonsecurities. com), headquartered in Cazenovia, NY, near Syracuse.

The firm offers securities and advisory services. Jeff Daniels dusted off his skills for the Alumni Basketball Game on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

1991

1990 Suzanne D’Addario Brouder 1656 N Mohawk, Unit G Chicago, IL 60614 802-387-4843 suzanne@daddario.com

1992

Angela Tomlinson ’92 and James Tassie ’92 on their July 2008 honeymoon in France.

Clayton Siegert 100 I Street S. Boston, MA 02127 csiegert@the80sgame.com Congratulations to Michael Schwartz. He and Jen have a new baby girl, Keira Ilana Schwartz, born 9/26/09 at 9 lbs. 10 oz.

1993 Nami Payackapan ’91 in Tuscany, Italy, with her husband, Vlamimir Milivojevic, and their daughter, Maya.

Michael Fox 320 W. 106th Street Apt #2F New York, NY 10025 212-663-1836 mfox789@hotmail.com Colleen Doyle Moran 408 South Street Morristown, NJ 07960 917-620-0651 colleendmoran@aol.com

Adam Fruitbine ’89 with his newborn, David (born Sept. 23, ’08), and David’s brother, Samuel (4).

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John Reed lives in San Francisco and is a trader for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Mara Hazzard reports that she got married in October! She now goes by Hazzard-Wallingford. She and her husband live in New Haven and sing with a couple of local groups: “We’re really enjoying being part of the local cultural scene, both on- and off-campus.” Mara works as the Director of the Yale Tessitura Consortium, a not-forprofit company that issues arts-management software to help over 200 arts organizations to manage and track ticket sales, contributions, marketing efforts and general customer information. Several years ago, four arts departments at Yale formed a consortium to purchase Tessitura for their respective areas. “It could easily keep me busy full time at any one of the four groups, so it is a big challenge, which I really enjoy!”

Natalia Porcelli Good 280 Park Avenue South Apt. 14E New York, NY 10010 212.753.0128. nataliapgood@yahoo.com Danielle Valenti Smith 415 East 85th Street Apt 12C New York, NY 10028 danvalenti@hotmail.com Danielle Valenti Smith brought her children, Sienna and Luca, to Fall Fair on October 3.

1994

Derek Pasch ‘94 (left) with his mother, Ria, and his sister, Lisa Pasch ‘96, at a charity event hosted by Derek’s new business, Martino Auto Concepts, in Glen Cove.

Heather Upton 269 Ohio Street Pasadena, CA 91106 hupton@mac.com

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Class Notes

There was a good turnout at the Public House in NYC on October 2 for the class’s 15th Reunion. Mike Baskoff, Adam Bernstein, Arthur Bovino, Neely Doshi Cather, Dana Minutoli Forbes, David Gilbert, Eden Yariv Goldberg, Kristin Gruber Grunert, Lara Hirsch, Meredyth Kravitz, Kelly MacKinnon, Kristin Kelly and Damian Pieper, Gavin Skeen, Alana Teutonico, and Danielle Lia and Philip Van Riper had a great time. The next day several enjoyed Fall Fair with their kids: Alana with her near-two-year-old daughter, Emma; Kristin and Damian with their one-year-old twin boys, Riley and Liam; Meredyth with her not-quite-one-year-old son, Jonah; Neely with her five- and two-year-old sons, Niles and Denali; and Lara with her two-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Derek Pasch and his wife, Nicole, relocated back to Long Island: “I recently opened my own business in Glen Cove, building custom cars and motorcycles, and as a result we are planning on moving back to the Locust Valley area very soon. We held an exotic car event for charity (The School for Language and Communication Development in Glen Cove) on August 23.” David Gilbert and Janet Campbell were married on November 1, 2009. Janet is a game programmer from the UK. David reports that they met at a game developer conference a few years ago and somehow managed to work it out despite the distance.

1995

Luke Cass proposed to Melissa Sloane in September 2009, and she graciously accepted. It was down by an old 15th century fort near San Juan Bay. (Luke is a prosecutor in the DA’s office in Puerto Rico.) Lisa Pasch works for St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospital Centers in New York. She is a Supervising Psychologist at C.A.R.E.S (Comprehensive Adolescent Rehabilitation and Education Service), and does individual, family and group therapy (among other things) with severely emotionally disturbed and substance-abusing 14-21 year-olds. She also supervises psychology trainees. Anna and Chris DeNatale had a boy, Christopher Jr., on July 18, 2009. Khary Jones works at The Nielsen Company and runs sales for five websites that are based around design (commercial, residential, and retail). Brett Jacobson was married to Laurie in November in Great Neck, with brother Todd Jacobson ‘93 serving as “superstar of a best man,” as Brett put it. Brett works for JP Morgan in Manhattan, and Laurie is a high school guidance counselor at Port Washington. The newlyweds live in Plainview.

1997 Devon Broderick Carroll 28 Bedford Street, #26 New York, NY 10014 917-531-7579 devon.broderick@morganstanley.com Devon George 200 E. 61st Street, Apt 40D New York, NY 10021 devon@petcarerx.com

Thomas A. Pascarella 156 Lewis Avenue Westbury, NY 11590 (516) 333-1632 tompasc@tompasc.com Kelly Reid Walsh 96 Grove Street Wellesley, MA 02482 781-237-2893 kellyreid@alumni.upenn.edu Carla and Andrew DeNatale had a girl, Lillian (Lilly), on February 13, 2009. Andrew brought her to the alumni basketball game in November – but he was sidelined with an injury. Lilly cheered on his fellow alums with him. Jackie Ruderman Anderson and her husband, Cory, live in Alpharetta, GA, where they celebrated the first birthday of their daughter, Avery, this spring. Kelly Reid Walsh served as a guide to a blind runner in the Boston Marathon this spring!

She reports, “It was an awesome experience.” Kelly accompanied Suleiman Rifai for 12.5 miles. Kelly teaches at Dana Hall, where she is also assistant head of the middle school.

1996 Marie Furey Wilson ’96 with her husband, Max. The couple married in Matinecock Meeting House on Fall Fair day 2008.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Devon Broderick Carroll reports: “Laura Drumm is still working at Citigroup in Debt Capital Markets. I see her quite a bit! She travels a ton for work, with recent adventures to the Mid East! Neda Talebian Funk just ran the NYC Marathon – her #1 supporter is her son, Tyler! Christina Holmes is enjoying her position at Chase Collegiate in Waterbury, CT. She teaches 6th and 7th Grade English, coaches the high school girls lacrosse team, and is the assistant director of the middle school muscial, which this year is Peter Pan. Beth Mandell Sarnoff just had a baby girl on November 27, 2009, named Alexandra Paige Sarnoff.

Congrats Beth and Mark! In October, Mindy Santos Radziewicz and her husband, Henry, welcomed baby Madeleine. They are living in Atlanta, GA. Hillary Ablon Brylka and her husband, Doug, welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Fiona Mae Brylka on July 6. I also recently met up with Jamie Jacobs Connors for a Phish show at Madison Square Garden. She was recently married to Kevin Connors. The couple resides in Greenwich Village. As for me, my husband and I are still living in the Village, and I still work at Chapdelaine, brokering corporate bonds.” Daisy Cook gave up a day of work with her accessories business, Rebelle Friendship Bags, to share her perspectives on entrepreneurship with students at Middle School Career Day in November. An article about the event appears in this issue.

1998 Justin John Boults 513 2nd Avenue, Apt 2A New York, NY 10016 justin.boults@nbcuni.com

Justin Paul Meli 100 Walnut Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 676-7485 jpm21@cornell.edu Jordan Stuart Tarry 200 East 7th Street, Apt 1C New York, NY 10009 516-526-1689 jordan.tarry@morgankeegan.com Debbie Perlicz is engaged to Matt Ferrell – no word on when the big day will be. Nishat Doschi has had a whirlwind year. He wed Franciska Berg and the couple welcomed a son, Escher, in February. Nishat and Todd Tilton ’01 launched a real estate business and recently purchased a rental property in Brooklyn.

They are looking to expand. Amy Wilson has moved back to Australia. She just completed a Masters in counseling and is between jobs, following a career as a secondary school science teacher.

1999 John Fleming Reid 11158 Falls Road Lutherville, MD 21093 johnnyreid1@hotmail.co (516) 398-0888 Jennifer Ryan Woods 26 Braddock Park Boston, MA 02116 JenniferLynnWoods@gmail.com The Class of ‘99 10th Reunion was a great success, despite the torrential downpour that unfortunately caused some last minute cancelations. The dinner was held at the home of Jennifer Ryan Woods and came complete with good food and great conversation with alumni, including Andrew Gambling, Bradley Gambling, Jason Scott, Matt Feinberg, Jamie Lombardo, Jordanna Davis, Chris Gillick, Ashley Heise, Alexis D’Elia, Erika Jacobson, Lindsay Roth, Bryan Good, Henry O’Connell and a surprise cameo from Vishal Arya. There were also several significant others in attendance. Jessica Hertz was married on May 29 to Christopher Edward Angell. Then Judge and now Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor officiated at the Metropolitan Club in New York. Jessica, who now works in the White House, had been a clerk for Judge Sotomayor. John Reid was the General Manager of the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summer of 2009. Vishal Arya has launched a startup company focused on a prototype medical device that he’s developed in the urology field. He is looking to go to market soon. Since graduating from Penn, Vishal has gone the finance route, and has been active in the healthcare and venture capitalism arenas. Renauld Williams had a terrific year as the starting middle linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. His team made it all the way to the championship game and lost in heart-breaking fashion when Montreal kicked the winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Alexis D’Elia is a second-year resident in Internal Medicine at Winthrop University Hospital, and is also a researcher in the hospital’s Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine. She has published several articles and is currently part of a large

Class Notes

35

multi-center trial at Winthrop sponsored by the NIH and Yale University School of Medicine, known as the VIRGO trial (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on outcomes of Young AMI patients). The project aims to understand causes and develop treatment in connection with heart attacks in women under 55. She is applying for fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease (Cardiology). Kwasi Boah is a second-year resident in neurosurgery at NYU. Kwasi took time off to put his game face on for the Alumni Basketball Game the Saturday of Thanksgiving break.

2000 Paul Philip Corrigan 5 High Meadow Court Old Brookville, NY 11545 (516) 674-0932 ppcpaul@aol.com Meredith Anne MacKinnon 46 Duck Pond Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 759-2063 mmackinnon35@yahoo.com Alissa Lifshitz ran the NYC Marathon on Nov. 1 as a benefit for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and as a tribute to her father.

She finished with a time of 4:43:40 – fast enough to be listed in the results in the New York Times! Rachel Axinn recently got engaged to Peter Brickman. Their wedding date has not been set, but will most likely be next fall. Ariel Fish is in her last year of business school at NYU. Annette Rogozia married Thomas Comber on Oct. 2 at The Woodands in Woodbury.

It was beautiful. The newlyweds live in Long Beach, and Annette is pursuing a Masters in HR Management at NYU Grad School. Laura Belt returned to campus to give students a look behind the scenes of the fashion world at Middle School Career Day in November. Laura is Senior Sales Executive and Head Public Relations Administrator at Fashionhaus, LLC, a multi-brand designer showroom in NYC. A separate article about Career Day appears in this issue.

2001

ALEX EDWARDS-BOURDREZ/friends academy

Members of the Class of 2004 who attended the Five-Year Reunion at the end of May at the Jackson House.

Class of 2004 5-year Reunion May 30, 2009

1

2

3

4

Christopher Harvey 16 Stiles Drive Melville, NY 11747 (516) 425-1096 Hadley Devon Mongell 245 E. 63rd Street Apt. 517 New York, NY 10021 Dan Tran and Liz Edelheit ’03 were married in the summer of 2009, and moved into the home they purchased in Norwalk, CT. Diane Loviglio’s San Francisco bus-stop “green roof” was featured in a National Geographic photo essay of rooftops from the world’s urban landscapes that are adorned with environmentally friendly plantings. Diane’s hope is that ordinary passersby will see “a viable home-improvement idea” in the green-roof concept, without having to tour a giant industrial building to understand it.

1. Art teacher and football coach John Regan enjoys a moment with Zack Murov ‘04 at the FiveYear Reunion in May at the Jackson House.

2. Board of Trustees member Doris Pailet catches up with Samantha Feldman ‘04, a former student from Doris’s Lower School teaching days, at the Five-Year Reunion in May at the Jackson House.

3. 2004 classmates Jason Jacobs, Peter Kaplan, David Greene, Chris Petrossian and Justin Roth at the Jackson House for the Five-Year Reunion in May. 4. Classmates Jonathan Koenig (left), Zach Murov and Kat Christie, currently FA’s Community Service Co-Coordinator and an Upper School history teacher, at the Five-Year Reunion in May.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

36

Class Notes

2002 Lauren Marie Bebry 2757 Heathfield Road Bloomfield, MN 48301 lauren_bebry@brown.edu Michael Jason Weiss 40 Cow Neck Road Sands Point, NY 11050 (516) 883-1572 mjw52@cornell.edu Elias Roman and Sarah Holland were married on August 8, 2009. Classmates Corey Pierno, Jon Lax, Lauren Bebry and Shannon Grimes attended. Elias and Sarah live in Long Island City. Elias’s online music enterprise, Amiestreet.com, continues to thrive, and Sarah teaches in an inclusion classroom (60% of her students are general education and 40% of her students are special education), in a high-need area in Elmhurst, Queens. Laura Yip graduated from law school in May and took the bar exam at the end of July. Afterwards, she travelled through France, Argentina, and Brazil to work on her language skills.

She started working full-time in November at a law firm in Manhattan. Cathy Handy is in her third year of medical school at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Mariel Lifshitz is in the home stretch of her graduate work in health policy. She will have her Masters in May.

2003 Katherine Donoghue Bowdoin College 206 Smith Union Brunswick, ME 04011 laxgal118@aol.com Andrew Joseph Rivara 249 Cleft Road Mill Neck, NY 11765 (516) 624-8380 aerocru@gwu.edu Tara Hanna 245 Locust Street W. Hempstead, NY 11552 thanna@fordham.edu Elissa Zirinsky returned this past summer for two months to Tanzania where she had spent about seven months over 2007-2008 volunteering for the Tanzanian Children’s Fund. She is planning another trip there this coming summer. Her experience assisting a team of American and Tanzanian doctors inspired her to enroll in a post baccalaureate pre-med program at Columbia to fulfill requirements to apply to medical school. Liz Edelheit has been busy as a first-year seventh-grade math teacher in Stamford. After moving to CT, she contacted Dan Tran ’01 to hang out with someone she knew. They started dating, got engaged, and were wed in August 2009! They live in Norwalk, where they recently bought a house.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

Many members of the class of 2006, and several from 2005 and 2007, with children at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club in May, following the Tri-Olympics Challenge, an alumni community service event in honor of the late Liz Durante ‘06.

2004 Angela Teresa Batista 2 Greenway Muttontown, NY 11771 (516) 624-3128 batista@wisc.edu Jonathan Harley Koenig 31 Yukon Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 364-7505 jonathan.koenig@yale.edu Syd Cohen graduated from Northwestern in 2009 with two degrees (BMUS + BA). She now works at William Morris Endeavor, the prominent talent agency that has a specialty in music. She wrote the alumni office: “I was always really involved in music and concert production, even at FA, and I kept up with that in college. That landed me this amazing job in the WME music department.” In the annual Alumni Basketball Game over Thanksgiving weekend, Jonathan Koenig established himself as one of the stalwarts – with respect to consecutive appearances over the years as well as his dominant play. Jonathan is in his first year of med school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Molly Fox was featured in an article in the November 12 issue of Newsweek magazine about the research she is helping conduct at the University of Cambridge. The study probes the popular notion that the proximity of a grandmother increases the chances of a child to survive into adulthood. The notion supports the theory that natural selection favors longevity in women, but the research so far does not confirm that. Molly is in her second of three years of doctoral study at Cambridge, which awarded her the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship in 2008.

Mike Cox ‘06 (right, giving directions) and Joe Camereta ‘06 helping run the Tri-Olympics Challenge in May at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club. The project was an alumni community service event in honor of the late Liz Durante ‘06.

2005 Robert Harrison Aaron 35 Kings Point Road Great Neck, NY 11024 516-829-6959 rha209@lehigh.edu Helen Simpson Hatch 137 Linden Farms Road Locust Valley, NY 11560 (516) 609-3239 helen.s.hatch@williams.edu Jen Tytel was featured in the UPenn Arts and Sciences magazine about her becoming “Queen of the Youth of the Ashanti Tribe” in Tepa, Ghana. She established a “Doc to Dock” chapter at Penn, which helps to raise funds and awareness. Sarah Nelkin started a small business public relations firm while still in college at GWU in Washington, D.C. that has since moved back to NYC after graduation in May. The company is called UpSpring PR, and unlike the plethora of PR firms that charge high retainers that small businesses simply can’t afford, it offers a performance-based pay system that directly ties pricing to concrete results.

Class Notes The company has been growing quite quickly. Sarah co-founded the company with Tiffany Tabar-Raanan.

Laura Ahern graduated from BC and promptly went to Tanzania, where she is volunteering for six months with the Tanzanian Children’s Fund. The organization was founded by a Locust Valley native. Julia Wagner’s wedding with Nathan Ingersoll is set for August 7, 2010, in Greenport, LI. Her bridesmaids include her sister, Meredith (currently an FA junior), and classmates Sara Bean, Lynsey Bohner and Thalia Trotta. Besides planning the big day, Julia reports, “Things are going really well for me. I just accepted an offer letter from Environmental Systems Design, which is a sustainable building design firm in downtown Chicago. I’m really excited as its pretty much my dream job, and I’m grateful because I know how bad the job market is...” Rob Abney’s basketball skills (undiminished) were on display at the Alumni Basketball Game over Thanksgiving break. Rob is pursuing an advanced degree in PR and communications at Pace, and is continuing his work with Black Entertainment Television.

2006 Brian T. Alessi 50 Shore Drive Plandome, NY 11030 (516) 365-3983 alessib@bc.edu Jennifer Marie Wagner 124 Feeks Lane Locust Valley, NY 11560 516-656-3480 wagnerj8@muohio.edu Kaitlin Marie Wagner 124 Feeks Lane Locust Valley, NY 11560 516-656-3480 wagnerkm@muohio.edu This past May many members of the Class of 2006 and several from 2005 and 2007 participated in a community service event at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club in honor of the late Liz Durante, who had spent countless hours there while at FA, and who was beloved by the kids and the staff. Liz’s friends ran a terrific Olympic-style event with basketball, relay races and foosball. The afternoon was topped off with ice cream sundaes. Melissa Sanchez returned from Fiji the second week of June, in time to present the Elizabeth Durante Community Service Award at Fourth Day Honors. Tributes to Liz by Melissa and Emma Brockway are in this issue of the magazine.

About Fiji, Melissa writes, “I have missed it every day since I have been back. I lived with an amazing family that took me in as one of their own. The last month, I spent my time researching the elementary school system. I spent time in a Fijian primary school studying their curriculum and teaching classes. It was awesome! The time flew and I left part of my heart in Fiji with my family and the people I had come to care and love. I, like many students of this generation, have decided to take the road to the non-profit sector after graduation this coming May. I am applying for programs such as the Peace Corp, Teach for America, and cross cultural solutions.” Kristin Morrison and Lizzy Drumm ‘07 are once again lacrosse co-captains, this time for the Princeton Tigers, which finished the 2009 season ranked seventh nationally. Christen Pi-

coli will be working for Bank of America in Charlotte starting this summer. More news coming in the next issue!

2007

Cristen Koufakis 239 Cleft Road Mill Neck, NY 11765-1003 516-627-5222 cristen.koufakis@trincoll.edu

Christine Farrell 1971 Cedar Swamp Road Glen Head, NY 11545 516- 606-1300 farrelcl@bc.edu

Nell C. Kucich 316 Manhasset Woods Road Manhasset, NY 11030 516-965-0635 NellKucich@gmail.com

Caitlin Koufakis 239 Clrft Road Mill Neck, NY 11765 516-627-5222 caitlin.koufakis@trincoll.edu

John E. Mascari Dartmouth College 3153 Hinman Hanover, NH 03755 john.mascari@dartmouth.edu

Diana Sher interned for the summer of 2009 at SecondMarket, an illiquid assets firm for which J.P. Teutonico ’90 is a principal partner. Joanna Kourkoumelis is a journalism major at NYU, and plans on attending law school after graduating. Julia Browne won her second straight D-III national doubles championship for Tufts! She also finished the national tournament third in singles play. Lizzy Drumm received honorable mention All-Ivy and All-Region recognition playing for the Princeton women’s lacrosse team, which finished last season ranked seventh in the country.

Lizzy was elected co-captain this year along with fellow former FA co-captain Kristin Morrison ‘06. Alex Giocondi’s play at attack helped Syracuse repeat as national champs in D-I men’s lacrosse. Mike Ford, David Weitz and Josh Jacobson brought their A game to the Alumni Basketball Game, played over Thanksgiving break in the main gym.

2008 Laura N. Berke 33 Washington Sq. W., HA-0821A New York, NY 10011 516-680-4437 lnb242@nyu.edu Alexandria F. Phillips 68 Flower Hill Rd. Huntington, NY 11743 631-421-3332 afp1013@gmail.com

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Jessica M. Rizzi 61 Green Meadow Lane Huntington, NY 11743 631-367-1045 MissRizzi@gmail.com Anthony F. Tedesco 40 Heights Road Plandome, NY 11030 516-627-2974 guitarguy637@gmail.com In the women’s single sculls of the World Junior Rowing Championships in France this summer, Nicole Bielawski finished third in the C final for a 15th-place finish overall. She qualified for the event by winning gold at the US Junior Championships earlier in the summer. Nicole is rowing for Princeton. Aristidis Kourkoumelis graduated from North Shore HS and is attending Adelphi University. He is in a law program and will complete his bachelor degree in 2012, then will attend NYU Law School. Peter Miller reports that he was a starter on Upenn’s JV football team and had a great season. He was called up to a few times to join the varsity, which won the Ivy League championship.

Nell Kucich walked onto the Manhattanville varsity tennis team this fall and wound up playing second singles and second doubles. Jeremy Koufakis and Harrison Hefele worked off some Thanksgiving dinner running the floor and sticking their share of baskets in the Alumni Basketball Game on November 28.

Kieran Mara has been awarded the Advanced Study Grant from Boston College, which will pay for 3 weeks in Rome where she’ll take intensive language classes and volunteer at a Non-Governmental Organization. Also, she was appointed for another year in the BC Undergraduate Government, where she will be Director of Clubs, Sports, and Activities. Rob Kamilaris scored a bunch of hoops and swatted away about as many of the opponents’ shots in the Ninth Annual Alumni Basketball Game on November 28.

2009 Ingrid A. Gutierrez 151 East Graham Avenue Hempstead, NY 11550 516-292-2302 freetimenvyz@hotmail.com

Emma Dailey Staton and her children, Emma Rita (5), Katherine (3), and Ysabel (1), pause for a photo with alumni director Alex Edwards-Bourdrez during a campus visit in March.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

In Memoriam

38

Elizabeth Durante, 1988 - 2009

Liz Durante ‘06 and Melissa Sanchez ‘06 in Uganda.

L

iz Durante was killed in a highway accident on March 7, 2009.

She was with several fellow Connecticut College students on the way to Logan Airport for a medical-relief mission in Uganda.

Their van was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver, who was charged with DUI. A pre-med student and winner of the Friends Academy Community Service Award in 2006, Liz was the co-organizer of the mission. It was to be her third trip to Uganda. The Asayo’s Wish Foundation, the organization Liz worked with, recently named its new clinic in Uganda after her, and Friends Academy’s annual Community Service Award, given at Fourth Day Honors in June, now bears her name as well.

Liz Durante was an amazing person. She was kind, loving and had convictions like no one I’ve ever met before. She stood for all the right things and never allowed the atrocities of the world to bring her down. Instead she used them as inspirations to change the world. Her capacity to love was absolutely astounding. I was blessed to call her my best friend.

– Melissa Sanchez ‘06 (written while on a study-abroad program in Fiji)

This is a letter to my friend, my sister and my confidante: My dearest Liz, I am going to try to make this as eloquent as possible and hope that my limited vocabulary will allow me to express how important you were and will continue to be in my life.

You knew as well as I do that writing was never my strong suit.

There is nothing that I can do, nothing that I can say, no wish that I can wish, no prayer that I can make, that will allow for you to greet me at the airport when I return to the States. This is all still unreal to me. I am

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

waiting to come back and have lunch with you, go on aimless Sunday night drives just to see where we would end up, and trade stories about the far away places that we have visited.

I sat in class today not listening to the lecture, instead thinking about all the plans we had made and questions I wanted to ask you. Can we still move in together after college? Will you still be my maid of honor at my wedding? Can you be an aunt to my children? Will we ever be able to travel the country on the road? Can you come back?

I remember meeting you the first day of 8th grade at Friends. As the new kid, you were quiet, you looked lost, and yet you didn’t keep to yourself. I called you to sit over at my table in the Commons and Dante immediately spilled his drink all over you. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We laughed at the same things, cried for each other’s pains, and fought each other’s battles.

Most importantly we loved and cared for the same things. You had the capacity to love like no other person I know.

We constantly spoke about how lucky we were to have been part of a community like Friends. The friendship that we fostered with students, faculty, and staff were more than we

could have ever asked for. It was at Friends that we realized that we wanted to save the world. And with the support of many of the teachers we knew it was possible.

Friends opened our eyes to both the beauties and the injustices of the world. We would delve into conversations about the “diversity” at school and realized it could not be seen with the naked eye, and in a weird way we were thankful for that. Friends served as the catalyst to what would become your life’s work. It taught you to see the world differently. Where others saw pain and suffering, you saw kindness and beauty.

By devoting your life to serving others you displayed all the principles by which you lived: simplicity, integrity, compassion, and love. Whether it was spending countless hours serving as a tutor and mentor at the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, singing innumerable U2 and Beatles songs with the boys from the AHRC, saving lives as an EMT or providing medical care in Africa, your work touched the lives of hundreds across the nation and the world.

I would have loved for you to have been at your service. You would laugh and be really embarrassed by the grandeur of the event.

Never in a million years would you believe that so many people loved and cared for you so deeply, and I think that’s what made you you. Regardless of what you did and how you did it, you were humble. You looked at yourself simply as a person who had a strong desire to love and that’s exactly what you did.

You truly were a saint, and like all saints were taken way too quickly. If you were in my place your prose would be beautiful and your words would be thoughtful.

I can’t believe you’re gone. I can’t believe that we won’t be able to attend our 10th year reunion together. But if I’m certain of anything, it is that you have not left my side.

I can still hear your voice and your laughter.

I can feel your guidance and heed the advice that you give. I am not sorry that you’ve gone to Heaven although I am sad that you’ve left me behind. I understand that your time here was through and that you did all you were meant to do. Had you had more time, I truly believe you would have saved the world in its entirety.

Until we meet again, all my love, Melissa

In Memoriam

I

We Remember...

Remembering Liz

was watching aliens save children from the apocalypse when I realized just how much I miss Liz. A maudlin scene involving extraterrestrial empathy was just the kind of thing that would have sent the two of us into hysterics – and gotten us kicked out of our favorite movie theater. Early in our friendship, Liz and I realized that we harbored the same shameful taste in movies and love of the absurd. Regardless of target demographic (who knew you had to be under thirteen to appreciate Twilight?) we would be there, providing each other with the running commentary that could make any movie a memorable experience.

Of course there was more to our friendship than subpar movies and shared tubs of popcorn. Whether I needed an unbiased opinion about a personal problem or a guide to the opening notes of my favorite John Mayer song, Liz was there for me, helping decisions get made, working chord progressions out before my eyes. Liz didn’t simply tolerate your idiosyncrasies, she reveled in them, and that goes a long way in explaining why her counsel had such great value. Her altruistic nature played the same role in friendships that it did in her service work, which astonished and inspired me. When Liz returned from her first trip to Africa, she described the charisma and courage of the people she met as well as the painful inequality she witnessed. Smart and intuitive, wise far beyond her years, constantly working and learning. At first, it amazed me, but in a very short time it was taken for granted.

When Liz meditated on her second trip, her plans for a third, or told stories about the EMT work she accomplished in between, the unbelievability of it all waned, thanks to Liz’s matter-of-fact delivery.

Perhaps what I loved most about Liz was that she didn’t take herself or anyone else too seriously. I wasn’t any less of a person because my knowledge of Uganda stemmed from watching The Last King of Scotland. If anyone could have claimed the moral high ground, it would have been Liz, but she never did. She saw her service work as valuable and not optional, but she also cared deeply about the passions and goals of everyone else.

Our conversations were never one-sided, and even though I never considered my own life particularly interesting or meaningful, it was clear that Liz disagreed.

Thinking about life without my dear friend makes me want to retreat from the world, and for a couple of days I did just that.

However, I’ve come to realize that griefderived inaction, appealing as it may be, is no way to honor Liz’s legacy. Liz was an original; she left an indelible mark on those who knew her. She also left us her core belief, as she expressed it in an article about her first trip to Uganda: “Somewhere, in the face of all of this chaos, despite all of this human suffering, we manage to find Hope, and Light, and Love.”

– Emma Brockway ‘06

39

Nicholas Faraco ‘31

Thomas Hubbard ‘63

Priscilla Tuthill Carleton ‘37

Lisa Heyman ‘78

Douglas B. Lapierre ‘37

Adam Trautmann ‘04

Skeffington Norton ‘42

Elizabeth Young Durante ‘06

William H. Picken III ‘42

Francis X. Coleman, Jr. Former Trustee and Parent

Margaret Fletcher Baltz ‘43 David Pardo ‘43 Edward D. Holyoke ‘46 Marilyn Barnard Reynolds ‘46 Jean Lawrence-McCaffery ‘47 Joseph Costello ‘50 Jane Rein Freeman ‘52 Daniel Hornobstel ‘52 Anne Hovell Dew ‘55 Edith Ingraham Crary Howe ‘63

Michael Grauer ‘85

O

ur friend Michael Grauer died suddenly on December 10, 2007. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and he will be greatly missed. Mike was admired for his big heart, wry sense of humor, and unassuming charm. His genuine smile and gentle eyes alerted those around him to the presence of a true friend.

Mike moved easily between the various groups within our high school class. With his self-deprecating humor he attracted friends of all types easily. He never had a bad word for anyone, and he was someone I knew I could always depend on.

I have so many fond memories of Michael.

He and I shared an intense love of music. We made our early musical explorations together, jamming on our guitars for hours through tiny practice amps. We loved music of all types and Mike turned me on to a lot of new things. I also remember how into the other new technology of the time we were. (VHS

Marilyn Doyle, Friends Academy nurse and health teacher from 1969 to 1996

M

arilyn died suddenly June of 2008 as a result of a fall in her home. The last time I saw her was the day before her accident.

The Friends Academy baseball team coached

by Marshall Lindner was in the Long Island Championship out in Stony Brook and she wanted to see the game. The Lapes and I, of

Marilyn Doyle Former Faculty and parent Thomas Gray Mann Former Business Manager and Assistant Head Priscilla C. Parke Former Lower School teacher Jerry Spiegel Former Trustee and Parent Jean Patricia Wittendale Former Staff

rentals, what a concept!)

We had a lot of laughs over the years I knew him. He could crack me up with just a look.

Once, when I invited Mike to a friend’s house, my friend’s dog wouldn’t take his eyes off Mike and followed him two steps behind for the whole night. This went on for hours. Mike took a step to the left, the dog took a step to the left. Mike took a step to the right, the dog took a step to the right. His look of genuine astonishment at the situation was classic Mike.

In those days we shared our hopes and dreams for the future, trying to grasp what was ahead of us. We tried to imagine how our lives would unfold, and figure out what the next step was.

Even though I hadn’t seen him in a while, I count Mike among my dearest friends. He was truly special to me.

I will carry many fond memories of Mike with me, and when I think of him in the years to come, I will always smile.

–Kenny Korade ‘85

course, were delighted to take her. Though a bit physically frail and uneven of step at 73 years of age, Marilyn was fun to be with; she had always been fun to be with. She still had that mischievous twinkle of eye and wanted to be brought up to date on all the goings-on at Friends. Twelve years retired as the Friends’ school nurse, she brought the same lively interest to the human scene at school with all its little dramas, ironies, and success stories.

Two days later the Lapes and I were ready to

Continued on Page 40

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

40

In Memoriam

Frank Coleman, former Trustee and parent

F

ormer Friends Academy Board member Francis X. (Frank) Coleman died on March 6, 2009. For most of his 30 years on the Board he served as Vice Chair.

Frank was a retired partner of Goldman Sachs and Company, and founder of Clever Devices and DPC Data. His is survived by his wife and lifelong partner, Agnes, and their four children, Janice, Ellen, Denys and Buddy, as well as 12 grandchildren. Denys '81 and Buddy '83 are Friends Academy graduates.

When he was nine years old Frank was diagnosed with polio. With the dedication of his family and his personal determination of steel, he was able to beat the disease that killed so many others. Throughout his life he was affected by the complications of the disease, but never was limited by them, so much so that he went on to compete on the swim team and play football at his high school, Fordham Prep.

Frank became head of the Goldman Sachs municipal department in the 1960s and was part of a team of partners that made the firm number one in municipal underwriting. In the mid-1970s, when New York City was in the throes of an economic crises, Frank played an integral role in negotiating the “bailout” of the City, working with Governor Carey, Felix Rohatyn, Dick Ravitch and others to create the “Big MAC,” the group that refinanced the City's debt to allow it to reform its finances.

Frank went on to work on the restructuring of the Urban Development Corporation, the Transit Authority and the Housing Finance Agency.

Friends Academy Board member and parent Elizabeth McCaul Ingrassia joined Goldman Sachs fresh out of college in 1985, and Frank was her supervisor. "Frank showed us that the nature of our product – contributing to the public works projects of our country – was a form of helping our nation. There was an altruistic nature to the work that he did, and he called on the rest of us to do it with him," Elizabeth said.

The Colemans encouraged Elizabeth and her husband, Frank Ingrassia, to follow in their footsteps and send their children to Friends. Elizabeth explained that he and Agnes had chosen the school because of its values and diversity.

"There is another dimension to Frank’s legacy: he taught us how to be," Elizabeth added. "Frank possessed brains, wisdom, professionalism, humility, decency and integrity.

He led and taught by example, and did it with good humor. His style of leadership was to put others in the front; he didn’t want the credit, he wanted you to succeed."

Frank guided Friends Academy with these ideals, and he always worked for our success.

We are fortunate to have had his wisdom and leadership for so many years.

The Meeting House | Fall 2009

At the Meeting House memorial, Phil Catapano, her brother-in-law, spoke of Marilyn’s hardiness of spirit, if not of body, and her insispick Marilyn up again to take her to a baseball tence that she be a part of every family advengame, but the accident on the stairs had octure. To the family’s consternation, Marilyn curred the previous night and she died two insisted that, even on crutches, she join them days later on June 13. The ensuing days were in a grueling hike down a steep muddy trail to spent at the wake and funeral sharing our sadthe Masimara River in Kenya where a launch ness with the multitude of family and friends took them out into the crocodile-infested who loved Marilyn. waters. I remember periodically getting For the thirty years I knew her, going back postcards from the Doyles from exotic places, to the days when her sons, Patrick and Brian, one of Mike and her on camels in the Canary wrestled for me on the Friends wrestling team, Islands, another on a zip line in the forests of Marilyn significantly showed up in my life Costa Rica. One winter break and in the lives of many others Marilyn and Mike went to the as a “life force.” She had an Swiss Alps to ski and Marilyn irrepressible spirit that touched broke her leg. Mike, having to and stirred the spirits of an get back to his job posthaste, entire generation at the school. had to leave Marilyn to make At the memorial meeting for it back, cast and all, on her Marilyn in the Meeting House own, and she did with nary a in October, students, teachcomplaint. I can still hear her ers, friends and family spoke characteristic chuckle as she fondly of their relationships shrugged off this ordeal to me with Marilyn. Former student as an interesting, but minor, Chip Sealy ’82 spoke humorlogistical problem. ously and candidly for a host Marilyn Doyle from the NYC Marilyn’s “life force” found of students who sought out Alumni gathering in the outlet in more customary the nurse’s office as much for Spring of 2008. ways as well. Warm hospitalemotional respite as for health ity was part of both Mike’s reasons. Teachers sometimes and Marilyn’s natures. With forget that a day at Friends their children, Patrick, Brian – with the expectation of and Colleen, graduates of the excellence in every class, game school and friends of so many, and artistic performance – can it’s hard to imagine any other become a pressure cooker, but family staying in as close touch Marilyn knew this, and her ofwith so much of the Friends fice became a place of comfort, community as the Doyles. At listening, and sympathy – a the end of the day at Fall Fair, timeout from the seemingly they regularly invited a flock of relentless stress. Chip and people back to their house for other alumni spoke with Marilyn and Mike Doyle at more food and refreshment. Afchoked voices of what Marilyn’s the 2002 Auction. ter Kal Wynot’s reunion lacrosse compassion meant to them even game, all the players and spectanow many years later. tors reconvened at Marilyn’s I remember that some of us to dissect the game and discuss faculty would tease Marilyn who still had it, and who might about “coddling” the kids. And be losing a step or two. And she always fiercely stuck up for who can forget their dance her methods and the students. parties when they laid out the Looking back, I know she was rental floor in the back yard right, but these arguments and the dance music played late remind me of another of her into the evening? qualities that Herb Lape spoke As Katie Catapano ‘95 of at the memorial meeting remarked to me at the wake, no – her ability to passionately Marilyn Doyle in 1990. one could remember Marilyn disagree with her friends and and Mike being separated from still remain friends, and someeach other for more than a week. After Mike how be even better friends after the disagreedied, Marilyn refused to let life close in around ment. Marilyn was not afraid of speaking her and pushed herself to be as vital as ever. I her mind clearly and directly about school know that I, as many others, miss her vitality, issues, religion and politics – and vehemently our dinners and going to games together, but disagree. This ability too is a rare quality there is solace in knowing that she and Mike today and I think derives from her growing are together again. up in and – with Mike and their children – having her own Irish-American family where –Friends Academy Upper School passions and tempers can run high but love English teacher Rick Sullivan even higher.

Continued from Page 39

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