By Nora Bates Zale
Dear Academy Community,
As I sit down to write this letter, reflecting on how our school community has shaped the formation of character within its members over the past two years, I have a nearly bottomless well of material upon which I can draw.
In the fall of 2018, as hearings unfolded around the fraught confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh, many students joined thousands of peers across the nation in showing their support of his accusers by staging a walkout. Silence and worry blanketed their collective demeanor for those few minutes on the basketball court, a stark contrast to the light of that brilliant September day. In March of 2019, they rallied with students from other area independent schools at a gathering on the Town Common in Greenfield, appalled at the lack of Congressional response during the year that followed the school shootings in Parkland, Florida. And again in May, some joined students around the nation in a strike for climate change, as did the majority of the student body in September of 2019 along with youth across the globe.
Cynics may see these actions as opportunistic, and our allowance of them as catering to youthful deviance or an avoidance of time in the classroom. I see it as proof that our school’s motto—Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind—is not just an empty phrase pasted across our homepage and marketing materials, but an imperative that our students seek to embody. These are Academy students. These actions, at their root, are about participating in civil discourse, and distinguishing oneself and one’s community as a being–or body of beings–whose character demands that participation. To sit idly by while the underpinnings of their society are seemingly coming apart at the seams is no better than to outright condone such a phenomenon. They see the world they’re inheriting with a painful acuteness, and they are deeply unsettled by that vision.
Indeed, in the spring of 2019, many of us were deeply unsettled when we heard the words of two students of color one day at Morning Meeting. While many who seek to do so do understand, from a privileged distance, that it must be a very difficult thing to be a student of color in this predominantly white school in
one of the whitest corners of the Commonwealth, to hear the grievances aired and detailed as to what this is like on an everyday basis was another matter entirely. Just knowing that it was hard and urging everyone to try to be more aware of that challenge was suddenly, exceedingly, not nearly enough. We embarked on a day of anti-racism training, led by outside facilitators. Will structural racism continue to permeate our society and our interpersonal relationships for generations?
Probably. Does that mean striving for behaviors and habits that consciously combat those that allow such structure to live on is fruitless? No, emphatically, no. Finally, no reflection on the past two school years and the attention our community gave to the importance of character would be complete without recognition of one of the oldest and, dare I suggest, most venerated bodies within our community: our Honor Council. In addition to combining the signing of the Honor Code with Mountain Day in distinct ways both last fall and this, the Honor Council has embarked on a mission to create a new body that will add student voice to the discipline process for minor infractions. After inviting feedback in many different forms,
they developed a proposal for a Student Review Board, and are now in the midst of putting the final touches on it before implementation. This group will be a rotating cast of students who learn about an incident and make a recommendation to me as to how to respond. Seeing this come to life this year–as little use as it may get, considering the generally fine conduct of our student body–is an exciting prospect.
I don’t mean to imply that Academy students are more attuned to the needs of the school and the society at large than they ever have been, though I would be happy to think that such is the case. What I do know to be true is that they are paying attention. They love this place, just as much as I do, and sooner or later, they come to care about leaving it even better than they found it. If they can bring that same intention to the wider world, and I believe they already are and certainly will, then Pete Townshend’s famous lyric “the kids are alright” most aptly applies. I’m so thankful that I get to make a living out of listening to them.
With gratitude,
Nora Bates Zale '00 Associate Head of School for Community
In the 2018-2019 school year, the Honor Council was tasked with discussing and developing a program in which students could review behavior deemed to be in violation of our school’s Honor Code. The conversations were initiated by students who sought to help embed The Academy’s strong value of character in the disciplinary process.
Through a series of meetings, including gathering feedback from the entire student body, the Honor Council has designed a Student Review Board which we hope to pilot in the near future. The Student Review Board will allow students to examine infractions and suggest repercussions for the Heads of School to consider when determining the final consequences. Each new situation will be
discussed by a different group of students, picked at random in a manner similar to jury duty. Every student will participate and be able to voice their opinion. Meeting once every couple of months, the Student Review Board will consider some incidents which have happened and others that are fictional in order to protect the anonymity of those whose actions are being explored.
The Student Review Board has been proposed in an effort to promote student engagement in school operation, reinforce an appreciation for character amongst the students, and provide a platform for constructive conversation about how that character affects the community. We look forward to playing a role in implementing it and helping it evolve.
VoxOPublished annually by The Academy at Charlemont 1359 Route 2 Charlemont, MA 01339 (413) 339-4912 fax (413) 339-4324 academy@charlemont.org
Contributing Writers Katherine Anderson ’16 Nora Bates Zale ’00, Eliza Bigelow '21, Eli Catanzaro ’21, Joseph Cincotta P04, 08, Sophia Corwin ’19, Neale Gay, Claire Grunberg ’20, Julie Lineberger P04, 08, Martha Tirk P07, Linnea Zimmer '21
Editors Martha Tirk P07, Nora Bates Zale ’00
Production Mike Grinley P23
Editing Support
Cornelia Reid P01
The Academy at Charlemont does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in its education, admissions, and financial aid policies, or in any other programs and policies administered byThe Academy.
The Academy community is saddened by the loss of two long-time friends, Ann H. Rees in January 2019 and S. Richard (Dick) Todd in April 2019.
According to her family, Ann H. Rees “died in much the same manner that she had lived her glorious 90 years: on her own terms, in her own time, always with quiet dignity and relentless compassion. She is remembered by friends and family for her incredible intellect, her inspiration, her formidable presence, her determination, her humor, her impressive parenting skills, her steady and strategic approach to life’s big problems, and her unconditional love of family. She was always a teacher whether as a mother, an aunt, a friend, a mentor, a neighbor or a professor. She left a positive mark on all she touched that will not fade with her passing.” This mark includes The Academy where Ann volunteered for years at the school both as a staff member and on the board. Dianne and Eric Grinnell were close friends of Ann and David, whose son David Evan was a founding student and a member of the Class of 1986. We are grateful to Ann for all that she did for our school and for her consistent support and advocacy for The Academy.
Dick Todd was an accomplished editor, writer, and teacher, and lover of the landscape. Having moved with his family to Ashfield in 1981, Dick and his wife Susan, an educator herself, were also founding Academy parents. Their daughters Emily ’85, Maisie ’89, and Nell ’93 remain actively engaged in the school and with their Academy friends, and are a proud legacy. The three crabapple trees planted on the slope in front of Hobbs Hall honor the Todd daughters’ time and contributions to our school, and they provide blossom, shade, and fruit annually. Dick and his family’s steady belief in and generosity toward The Academy continue to be felt here.
In addition to Dick’s devotion to his family, his partnership with the writers with whom he worked and his commitment to the preservation of the open space that defines our hilltown community are also lasting reminders of his impact. We are deeply honored to be a part of the Todds’ collective legacy, both at our school and in these towns.
Students and faculty engaged in the inaugural “Grinnell Sessions” program during the first week of the second semester of the 2018-19 school year, diving deep into areas of interest and expertise of the faculty leading each group. Topics included Art & Activism, First Aid, Audio Recording, Mythology & Theater, Museum Exploration, Fight Choreography, Fermentation, Hispanic Cultural Studies, and Board Game Development.
The Grinnell Sessions are named in honor of two of our six founders, Eric Grinnell, our founding Head, and his wife Dianne. In the words of former Head of School Brian Bloomfield who conceived of this program, "Seneca wrote, ‘non scholae sed vitae discimus’ (‘we learn not for school, but for life’). It is and always has been the hope of Academy faculty and staff members that our students learn and study not only to pass their
classes and get into colleges, but also so that they develop a deep love of learning."
The rich experiences shared in January reflect not only the creativity, curiosity, and shared passions of those involved in each exploration, but also a commitment on the part of The Academy to encourage these interests along with creating opportunities for students and adults in our community to connect with one another in new ways. Doing all of this was, we hope, a tribute to the entrepreneurial and community-minded spirit of Dianne and Eric Grinnell.
the group surveyed the history of visual protest in America, from colonial engravings calling for independence, to contemporary works raising awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement and reproductive rights. A visit to the Smith College Museum of Art provided some contemporary examples, such as prints by Nell
tionship between text and image, using contrast, a limited color palette, and a short but powerful slogan.
The group’s final project was to create a prototype for a larger art piece that compelled its audience to “Wake Up”
“The History of Art & Activism in America” asked students to consider the importance of art as a form of protest and how it serves as a conduit of change.
Led by Dr. Fagan and Mrs. BZ,
Painter focused on the contemporary experience of racism, and photographs by Lauren Greenfield exploring “girl culture.” The group’s final project was to create a prototype for a larger art piece that compelled its audience to “Wake Up”, critiquing passivity and the mistaking of awareness for change-making. When creating their work, the students thought carefully about the rela-
Mr. Schatz led students through an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR course while also helping them consider how to respond to emergency situations in more remote environments. Students learned how to address situations that included choking, CPR, using an Automatic External Defibrillator, splinting, burns, strokes, and diabetic, asthmatic, and anaphylactic emergencies. Through this session, students earned a two-year certification in Adult/Pediatric/ Infant First Aid & CPR. Cristy Kasbo ’21 reflected on the experience saying, “I think it was really valuable because it taught us what to do in emergency situations and gave us the ability to help others. The hands-on practice of the various techniques made it fun and engaging.”
Students in the audio workshop reproduced a recording of A Day in The Life, by The Beatles. This song, off the Sergeant Pepper album, is considered one of the great early examples of the recording studio being used as a creative songwriting tool and more than just the means to document a piece of music or performance. The group spent the first few hours learning the material and discussing ways to approach the recording process and arrangement. Later, they began by tracking maracas, bass, and "guide" vocals for the entire song. On the second day they added more elements of the rhythm section, drums, piano, and guitar. The two violin players were multi-tracked several times to create a bigger orchestral sound,
and the project finished up with vocals and vocal overdubs. Lane Moore ’20 says “It was great to participate with this group in the process of producing a song from beginning to end. It was a collaborative environment and great to have everyone’s specific expertise showcased in the final product.” Music Director and session leader Scott Hoffman is proud of the group's focused work and impressed with the output, as were all those in attendance at their presentation. Listen at this link: https://soundcloud.com/ academyatcharlemont/aday-in-the-life-mix-3
Led by Mr. Gay and Mr. Young, this group spent their time immersed in Greek tragedy. The class spent the first day learning about the physical theater and the structure of tragedy, and then wrote a scene that incorporated elements, energy, movement, and volume that they had observed in scenes they had watched and discussed. The students used Sleeping Beauty as their source material. Juliet Corwin ’22, an active participant in Academy theater productions, said “We chose Sleeping Beauty because we thought the fairy tale could be presented with a twist, to turn it into a tragedy. In the original, there’s not a lot of depth in Maleficent’s character so we turned her into the main character and tried to give her more.” On day two, they blocked their scene, costumed themselves, and painted tragic masks. Their performance was well-received by the community and their hard work was evident to all.
Academy students spent two days with Mr. Green and Mr. Almeida visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and the New Britain (CT) Museum to immerse themselves
the amazement and appreciation of the audience.
What do kimchi, kombucha, bread, and pickles have in common? Led by Ms. Falco, Mr. Miller, and Mme. Mauri, students explored the power of bacteria to transform ordinary ingredients through the fabulous process of fermentation! They visited Artisan Beverage Cooperative and Real Pickles in Greenfield, worked with Sam Coates-Finke from Backyard Bread, made their own kombucha, kimchi, and sourdough bread. We were all grateful to them for sharing their culinary products, and helping us all better understand the science of fermentation.
several sauces and dishes were simmering, they watched two films, a parody of Mexican soap operas with a meaningful social commentary (in which Will Ferrell speaks only Spanish), and a Spanish dark comedy.
On the first day the students spoke only español and Señora Valdez was impressed by their cooperation, clean up, and respect. They were gracious in sharing the food they prepared (as well as the piñatas) with the whole school community.
Board Game Development
in American history and the many ways it has been reflected, challenged, and shaped by the world of art. Professional docents provided additional insight into some truly important pieces including paintings at the New Britain Museum by Hudson River School artists Thomas Cole and William Sonnntag. Senior Ethan Brossard was particularly taken by these works, and said “The ultra-realist, dramatic landscapes were among my favorite pieces. When I’m analyzing things I usually use a historical lens, so seeing these works and knowing the history behind them helped to increase my appreciation for the art and the artists, as well as the period.” Students brought these kinds of reflections back with them to school, and presented their impressions to fellow members of the community.
Mrs. (Overtree) Karlin and guest instructor Chris Rose worked with interested students to teach them the fine art of fight choreography—how to punch, kick, hit, and fall with style, all while NOT causing harm or getting injured. They demonstrated what they learned in a "Black Friday" skit, to
Although thwarted in their attempt to have an authentic shopping experience where they could use their language skills, this session's participants persevered and after an extensive search found hominy and other ingredients They cooked non-stop for two days to make tamales, posole (Solly Chase ’20 dubs it "Posolly"), and the controversial menudo (made with tripe, or cow stomach), and to fabricate and decorate three piñatas. While
It has been said that in every person there is a board game waiting to be created. In Mr. Miller's board game development session, this notion was put to the test with amazing results! Six new games emerged from the workshop, with themes ranging from city development to knight combat to exploration on the high seas. Students brainstormed themes, drafted rules, created components, and play-tested everything over and over. Who knew board game design could be so much work—and so much fun at the same time? Finally, they set up their games in the Common Room for all to play, observe, and enjoy.
At The Academy, the Council program has always been integral to enriching the immediate and surrounding community. The student body and faculty have noticed that, in recent years, student interest in council offerings
community. The Council performs needed maintenance to support school technology and provides recommendations to the Heads of School about tech needs beyond the scope of the Council’s resources.” The Council was launched by a small but motivated group of students and has
ulty her idea of an Inter-School Relations Council that she said would “increase our exposure to students from other schools with different talents, experiences, and interests. We can help engage students from around our small part of New England to participate in events together.” Both faculty and students received the idea well; excited students from grades 7–12 joined the Council right away, making for a productive first year. After being elected, leaders Pisinski-Cutler ’22, Haven Vincent-Warner ’22, and Solly Chase ’20 moderated a discussion about possible projects including inter-school dances and meals to raise money.
of the gardens.” The students in the Food and Gardens Council have stepped up to do just that. Over the course of the year, the Council offered a vegan “Harvest Luncheon” and prepared the school gardens for planting, started planting in the greenhouse and will continue taking care of it. Haskins is pleased with the progress the Council has made. Although it was hard to do any gardening in the winter,she says, “It has a lot of potential, I think, to do some nice things for the
school—it just needed to get on its feet first.”
The Arts Council was not originally one of the options at the beginning of the school year. Although there had been talk amongst students and faculty about the prospect of an Arts Council, the Academy’s vibrant arts program seemed to satisfy the school’s art-related needs. However, students in all grades were motivated and created a petition, which students in all grades signed, and according to
senior co-leader of the Council Ethan Brossard, “the faculty said ‘sure’”. So far, the Arts Council, which “works to bring more diverse art opportunities and media into the Academy community, and to promote and showcase Academy art in the wider community,” has put on a Valentine’s Day Lunch to raise money, and is currently collaborating with the Inter-School Relations Council to organize the inter-school art workshops. “We were a bit disorganized at the start” says
Brossard, “but I think we got a reasonable amount done.”
With four new, student-initiated organizations, The Academy’s Council program has been rejuvenated, and many students feel more confident about and invested in the Councils to which they belong. “There have been many good things this year that were the results of Council initiatives,” says Aislyn Jewett ’20, of the Arts Council. “I think they have a lot of potential.”
has changed. After a school-wide discussion in the fall that focused on ways to better integrate the program into our school community, both students and faculty felt motivated to initiate several new councils at the beginning of the 2018–19 school year.
As a result of a Morning Meeting brainstorming session early in the fall, students developed plans for four new councils: Technology, Inter-School Relations, Food and Gardens, and Arts. Students quickly showed interest in contributing to the school through all four of these and the groups have since become key parts of our Academy community.
The Tech Council, led by Liam Neeley '19 (and now Alex Tobits '20), “works to educate the community about the risks and benefits of technology used at our school and to provide assistance repairing and troubleshooting problems with technology in the
performed various much-needed tasks ranging from repairing projectors to giving a presentation on internet safety. “We were slower to start than many Councils, but recently we have started to pick up the pace,” says Neeley. “I think we have accomplished about as much as can be expected of such a small group: we have fixed many Chromebooks, helped set up presentations, and fixed problems in some classrooms.”
The Tech Council will continue to assist and educate the community about technology-related issues.
In the near future, Neeley says, the Council will work “to improve the internet at the school. When the internet cut out at one point during the spring, we noticed many areas for improvement that may speed up the internet; we can't promise any results, but we will see what we can do.”
This past fall, Annabeth Pisinski-Cutler '22 proposed to the fac-
The Council decided to pursue two projects: creating an inter-school literary magazine and partnering with the Arts Council to organize a series of arts workshops for students from various area high schools. The lit mag, 2-West is a bi-annual, student run magazine that aims to connect Western Massachusetts high schoolers through poetry, prose, and visual art. Council members contacted surrounding schools, received submissions, and released the first issue of 2-West in early June 2019. The arts workshops, a longer-term project, will consist of three sessions in the fall of 2019: a short film session, a visual art session, and a music session.
“Hopefully, we’ll get ten to twenty participants from all schools in the
area,” says Chase, who is leading the project. “We also want a theme to unite all of the workshops,” he says, “but we still have to decide on that.” With both the lit mag and the arts workshops well on their way, the Inter-School Relations Council has gotten off to a strong start, forging relationships with other schools from the very beginning. “I am pretty satisfied with how this year has gone; we have made a very good start. There is always more that can be improved upon, and I think this council has a very bright future,” says Pisinski-Cutler.
Similarly, the Food and Gardens Council has already made an impact on the Academy community. Kayla Haskins ’19— whose senior project, building a greenhouse for the school, nicely complemented her role as leader of the Council—says: “We’ve been getting grants, and we have all of these gardens, but someone needed to take care
The Academy at Charlemont views the college process as an opportunity for students to reflect on their accomplishments and struggles as scholars and young people engaged in an evolving world. It emphasizes honesty and asks students to give primacy to their needs and wants as they perceive them. It is a personal and highly reflective process that asks students to be true to themselves.
We believe that being true to oneself isn’t something that happens overnight. Rather, it requires a process that can be coaxed, but not one that can be forced. It requires a development of character that comes in the form of academics, service, and relationships between peers, faculty, and the larger community.
These relationships are fundamental to our school. At the inception of every school year we ask students to sign The Academy Honor Code, a tradition dating back to 1985. There is some pageantry to the event; often, a student plays a pleasing piece of music on the piano in Sumner Recital Hall as students
file in and find their seats. Words are spoken about the tradition and students stream to the front of the room to sign a freshly printed 11x17 copy of the document in blue or black ballpoint. As students get older, they notice less of the processional and are more capable of sensing and embodying the document as a part of their regular experience here. Tucker Zakon-Anderson, currently attending Northeastern University, reflects that relationships “all begin and end with the Honor Code. That document right there is the best part of this place. As seniors, we signed it every year and it stands for our relationships with one another.”
Without close relationships and the trust that comes with being part of the Academy community, honest conversations about academic and social fit for a student wouldn’t be authentic. Colleges look for students who have character, and our Honor Code is one of many intentional character-building pieces to an Academy education. However, there is also unintentional character-building that happens along the way. Leni Sperry-Fromm, currently attending
Barnard College, notes that she “was able to lean on my peers and faculty for support, and not feel judged or discouraged by them” during the college application and acceptance seasons.
“When you’re in a stressful, confusing, and intense situation like applying to college, having community members both near, and far, is so important to help ease the pressure” said Leni. In her case, she was able to con-
•Neale Gay teaching Senior Humanities nect with Waverly Engelman, a 2013 Academy graduate who is Assistant to the Vice President for Enrollment at Barnard College. “Her kindness and success made me feel less intimidated by the idea of moving to New York City.”
To be true to oneself is a process more than a pithy saying, and the process for a young person is rarely easy.
By Eli Catanzaro ’21
A"n incomprehensible event at a local play.”
These six words were all that the Academy community knew about Trap by Stephen Gregg for weeks, until opening night. Everything about the show was a well-kept secret: the plot, the characters, even the tiniest details. Who played the lead roles? Was there a villain?
Everything was a mystery. As one of the members of the cast I was a keeper of the secret and privy to everything that went on backstage. This being my first year in drama I had little experience with
acting other than some long ago time spent as an Oompa Loompa.
I was incredibly impressed by the dedication of all cast and crew members to the production itself. Trap has a unique way of presenting its plot and it was utterly unlike anything that I had ever seen or been a part of before. The set itself involved a huge number of moving parts: the background had to be adjusted, the pieces had to be designed for one scene, and then rearranged for another. There were technical challenges, of course, but the main problem was that despite what the play would have you believe there was a very real lighting problem. For
the dress rehearsal at the beginning of tech week, not only was the cast stuck at school during a storm with no power and no way out (horror movie idea), but also for the following few days the stage lights were legitimately broken. This was obviously cause for much concern, especially on the part of our wonderful director (and math teacher)
Kimberly (Overtree) Karlin. In typical problem-solving fashion, however, she said “Just like math, theater is just a set of problems to solve, including the lights not working. Like improv, you have to go with the flow.”
Speaking of tech week, what a
time! For those not in the know, this is the time when the play goes from being all right to amazing. It essentially entails staying at school until 7 PM every night of the week and running, re-running, checking and rechecking everything to nail down all the parts. It was one of the most exhausting, emotionally charged, and bonding experiences of my life. The sheer effort on the part of each of my fellow actors was astounding to me, and certainly set the bar high for me as a newcomer to theater. The first day of tech week was absolutely the most entertaining. The power went out at roughly 4:30, and
remained out until 7:30. ALL of the roads leading to and from school were blocked by trees. Members of the company responded to the ordeal in various and curious ways. There was everything from singing “Bohemian Rhapsody,” to gathering of blankets “just in case”. Some people just lay down and stared at the ceiling, while calming music played. It felt like it could easily have evolved into a “Lord of the Flies” situation. However, the rest of tech week proceeded in a relatively normal manner, and the bonding only grew; it’s something that I will forever carry with me.
Trap revolves around a theatre: during a high school play a group of energy-consuming monsters (pharanochs) devours the audience, leaving only one girl unaffected. The story is told through
a documentary-like lens with interviews recounting the experiences of those involved. When asked about the play, Tor Olson '21 said “I really liked how interactive it was with the audience,” and he went on to elaborate that it felt fantastic for the story to involve the audience so much—and to scare them as much as it did.
In the words of Mrs. Karlin, “When something easy happens, you enjoy it. When something happens that’s hard, and you work and overcome these challenges, the product is enjoyed so much more.” This was certainly true of opening night, and as soon as we ran backstage and into the dressing room after the curtain call, it was as if some kind of electric
current had passed through my body. There was only one thing to do. I whipped out my harmonica and for the next two minutes the men’s changing room devolved into a state of exuberant jigging.
When asked for her thoughts about the play, Katie Tobits '20 said “Because we did such traditionally-oriented storylines in previous productions (even last year’s play had a distinct beginning, middle, and end), having this documentary style was different and it was difficult and we pulled it off as well as a high school production could.” Newcomer David Amaya '20, a techie, gave an interesting perspective, being able to observe as well as participate. When asked what surprised him about the play he said “I liked seeing
it develop over time. It was hard to get into, to map it, but once we were there it was awesome. After seeing it over and over, when it became a really special thing I appreciated it more than I thought I would.” Even veterans of Academy productions such as Lila Goleman '19 were thrilled. “It was one of my favorites, next to Shakespeare in Hollywood, better than I thought it was going to be, surprising, spooky. I liked at the end when we all put on the eyes, I liked the little hints that we gave throughout the play, building to the end.” All in all, the thing that seemed to resonate for all those involved in the play was that it was an absolutely wonderful time, as well as a unique opportunity to explore plot in an unorthodox way.
By Juliet Corwin ’22
A"t The Academy, the winter drama production is anticipated greatly by the entire school. Students hoping to perform in the play and be on the tech crew wait anxiously and excitedly through the fall, while students planning on being audience members pepper the cast and crew for details once rehearsals begin. With the last few years’ performances having set the bar quite high, our director, Kimberly Overtree-Karlin,
had her work cut out for her this winter. After having directed a comedy and a spooky thriller, Ms. OK chose The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for The Academy’s 2020 drama production.
When the cast and crew got news of the show, we knew this production would not be the typical high school rendition of this classic tale—and indeed, it was not. Under the experienced and creative directing of Ms. OK, we managed to transform this well-known story into a drama
unlike one that any of our audience members had ever seen. We had a careful and precise set that allowed for the stage to transform from a laboratory, to a home office, to a bar, and then a prostitute’s chamber, and a bustling street. Thanks to our amazing tech crew, we had incredible lighting and sound effects. Our cast took the characters and brought them truly to life. Our show had an unexpected twist: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were played by two different actors. Eli Catanzaro ’21, had
the role of Dr. Jekyll, which he took head on. He said, “Despite the fact I never got to share the stage with Solly, playing the same character was an utterly unique experience. For me, it was all about getting in the mind of the character, once there, everything seemed to flow between Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll. I would often sit backstage with Solly and see how he would react to things; he was always in character. That helped the transition even more”. Solly Chase ’20 took on his esteemed role of Mr. Hyde with
excitement and leadership and served as a general energy booster and inspiration to the rest of the cast. He said, “Academy drama was among the experiences that were most vital to my six years of high school. Being involved in Jekyll & Hyde felt like all my past productions and all my future endeavors distilled into a bittersweet formula—a rambunctious, close-knit cast, a character of whom I could only scratch the surface, and a final production that peeled away all formalities and left raw humanity on the stage”. Ella LaMee ’21 and Mayzie Whitaker ’25 also had rather daunting roles, which they took in stride. Every single
cast member worked with their part, experimented, practiced, and became their character. This process amazes me each year. Watching my fellow cast members learn to be their character, and to learn it myself.
This year we had less time to prepare for the drama production than usual, due to a late Thanksgiving break, and many snow days (all on Thursdays, it seemed). However, our cast and crew worked hard, whispered our lines on car rides to school, came in for extra rehearsals, had a grueling tech week, built sets on weekends, practiced with each other in spare free times, and polished our acting in the
calm of our bedrooms. Ms. OK believed in our abilities, and kept our energy and morale high. She is an extraordinary and talented director. On opening night, our jitters were through the roof. Leo Wurgaft ’22 and I (Juliet Corwin ’22) could be found in the boys’ dressing room walking in a circle reciting a scene we never seemed to be able to get just right (we continued this tradition for every single performance). Later, we did the scene perfectly. Before our play season had begun, I found myself trying to explain why I loved being a part of the drama production each year (this production being my third at The Academy). I found
myself with an image of our school, the fields dark and snowy, the lights of the recital hall warm and bright. Each year, students come together in that room, all different ages, experience levels, comfort levels, and backgrounds. The one thing we all hold in common, apart from our shared school: we want to put on a play. This group of students learns to act with each other, to trust and respond to one another, to be reliable for each other. We come together to create an experience for our audience. And in doing so, we create an incredible performance, build new bonds, strengthen old friendships, and learn about ourselves.
By Addie Catanzaro '23 and Elaina Gibb-Buursma '20
Rising sophomore
Adella Catanzaro and senior Elaina Gibb-Buursma offered the following reflections during the summer of 2020 as they looked back on their spring “at” school.
Addie Catanzaro '23
My Academy spring was, all told, surprisingly normal. When I heard we wouldn’t be returning to The Academy for the remainder of the year my biggest worries were about losing all the opportunities to spend time with other students that are usually such a large part of the conclusion of the year. I had heard from my friends at other schools that returned from break before we did, that they had minimal schoolwork, and that learning had effectively ceased. However, that wasn’t the case with The Academy. I had my routine, I continued to learn despite the circumstances, and although they looked a little different, nearly all of our typical springtime traditions were still carried out. Right from the beginning, The Academy handled the online learning period beautifully. We returned from March break on time to a school fully prepared for remote learning and its unique set of challenges. Despite the faculty’s best efforts, online learning was still less than ideal. The long, tiring days, sitting in front of a computer with no opportunities to pass a frisbee, or chat with friends in the common room made it difficult to focus. However, the teachers were extremely understanding of this, and often let class out a few minutes early on days they knew we had many back-to-back classes, telling us to get outside for a bit. As with any new thing, there were certainly kinks to be worked out, but the administration was open to suggestions and managed these extremely
well. As technology continues to advance, classes and other forms of learning online are likely to become a larger part of how we view education. These circumstances have led us all to develop skills for how to effectively learn remotely for any future periods of remote learning as a result of the pandemic, or simply from a more technologically-based future education system. I know that I’m certainly hoping to be able to be back in person at The Academy in the fall, but this past spring has also shown me that if we can’t be, that’ll be okay too.
At our online Morning Meetings, we sometimes talked about silver linings. John had one about seeing his son’s first steps, other peoples’ included the benefit of spending more time with pets, and reaching out to family that we don’t talk to normally. Most of the school being teenagers, I think a silver lining apparent to us was being able to sleep later than we could have if school had continued in person. But thinking back, there were so many things that continued to be fun, despite being isolated.
I feel that school spirit is mostly associated with sports, but the spirit The Academy showed for FITS (Fling in the Spring) probably could have won us a top award for RVAL if the Polar Bear Ice Challenge had been a sport. The seniors’ amazing ideas for FITS really showed that even our spring traditions weren’t lost. Who knew that virtual, communal baking and using home supplies to dress up as an aardvark could be so fun? We also were able to complete at-home community service projects like making signs for Vermont’s Green Up Day, mask making, cards for senior citizens and children in hospitals, and even proofreading for Marxists.org.
student’s
I think I had a newfound appreciation for my teachers, knowing many of them had young children who most definitely needed their parent’s attention. It must have been so difficult to balance home and work. The Academy kept the fundamentals of what we were accustomed to; this normalcy was something that most other schools didn’t have. Despite experiencing internet problems and Zoom fatigue, I heard about schools where the disconnection from students was shocking. Some other schools solely sent home materials to be self-taught, while other schools only held one or two Zoom meetings a week. I was grateful The Academy provided a more consistent interactive daily class format.
Team Lunches before quarantine were usually very strange. At school, we would have conversations in bursts before
running out of things to say. Then we might lapse into silence, passing the candy or baked goods that our team leaders had so nicely thought to bring. During quarantine these lunches improved so we made it happen more frequently. There seemed to be more to discuss, and oddly enough, these virtual meet-ups seemed more personal. Through Zoom, we would compliment someone’s beautifully cooked quesadilla and giggle when someone’s face froze mid-sentence on screen.
As we opened the year with remote academics, we were glad to have student and family feedback as we worked to improve our online program, while supplementing with in-person activities onand off-campus. We’re grateful to our supportive, creative community for coming together to make the best out of this challenging time!
Rounding the bend of Route 2 on the golden afternoon of June 9th, 2019, revealed a nostalgic scene familiar to the many families arriving to The Academy’s 37th Commencement ceremony. Parked cars filled the fields, and people in summery clothes milled about as music played by students Leo Wurgaft '22 and Eli Catanzaro '21 echoed from the large white tent. The day was warm, the sun shining; almost as surely as it always rains on class trips, there is always beautiful weather on the day of Commencement. This year’s ceremony celebrated the Classes of 2019 and 2023, and along with them Martha Tirk, Cathy Valdez, and Kara Fagan as they part from The Academy and begin new journeys. Nervousness and sentimentality drifted through the air, alongside the soft, white seeds of the cottonwood trees. People gradually took their seats under the shade of the tall tent, and soon the newly elected Student Representative to the Board of Trustees, Solomon Chase '20, introduced the procession. The 8th graders were the first to walk in pairs down the aisle, amid loud applause and smiles from the audience. As they took their seats, each fiddling nervously with a white carnation, their faces were filled with anticipation. The seniors followed, looking beautiful, confident, and reminiscent. Last to enter were the faculty, proud and happy, but nostalgic. Associate Head of School Neale Gay warmly welcomed everyone to Commencement. He remarked on the growth of the Class of 2019, honored Cathy Valdez, Kara Fagan, and highlighted especially Martha Tirk for her 18 years of
dedication and kindness within The Academy community. He introduced the establishment of the Vivat Academia Scholarship Fund in Martha Tirk’s honor. Teacher and mentor of the graduating 8th graders, Elizabeth Falco, next asked the audience what they wish they had more of in life, and remarked that these wishes may not be so different from the wishes of the 8th
excellence. This year’s recipients were Paloma Hsiao-Shelton '24, Izzy Schiff '23, Juliette Corwin '22, Elaina Gibb-Buursma'21, Solomon Chase '20, and Calla Jones '19. The Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Awards are gifted to two students, one for Performing Arts and one for Visual Arts, who shine in their artistic pursuits. This year’s recipients were Nathaniel Boyd-Owens '19 for
MacLeish Zale Community Service Award to Cristy Kasbo '21.
graders. In a joyful and insightful speech, she observed that 8th graders, however, possess “a sense of the inherent value and absolute necessity of joy in our lives,” a sense she urged them never to surrender. She then gave way to the audience’s resounding cheers and applause as they recognized the 8th graders’ transition into upper school.
The Award Ceremony followed, introduced by Neale Gay. Each student accepting their award advanced to the podium in their own unique manner, their apparent emotions ranging from surprise or nervousness, to confidence or joy. The Academic Award recognizes a student from each grade for their academic
Performing Arts and Gwen Howe '21 for Visual Arts.
This year, beloved Assistant Coach Ben Thompson handed out the five Athletic Awards. He first commented on the extraordinary spirit possessed by Academy Ultimate Frisbee teams, and the fortunate growth of the cross-country team. He then announced the awards. The Outstanding Lower School Athletes were Atticus Rudof '23 and Emmy Pisinski-Cutler '24. The Outstanding Upper School Athletes were Nathaniel Boyd-Owens '19 and Francesca Ruggiero-Corliss '19.
The Coaches Award was gifted to Liam Neeley '19.
Associate Head of School, Nora Bates Zale '00, awarded the Ellen
The Jane Grant Honor Council Award, for personal adherence to and advocacy for the school’s Honor Code, was granted to Claire Grunberg '20. The Robert Jaros Citizenship Award, in honor of a student dedicated to social justice, selfless service, and abiding concern for the wellbeing of the Academy community, was granted to Calla Jones '19. The Will Sparks Award, honoring adults in the Academy community who help to advance the school’s mission, was granted to Rebekah Boyd and Phoebe Walker, who took hands, delightedly accepting the award together. The Rapinchuk-Souccar family gifted the Zephyr Rapinchuk Award to Tucker Zakon-Anderson '19 and Leni Sperry-Fromm '19 in honor of their son’s spirit for life. While giving the award, they reflected that “joy and hilarity are no small matters,” compelling the audience to find joy. The tears, smiles, and laughs of those on the podium were reflected on faces all throughout the tent.
As is traditional, the senior class and a portion of the faculty then performed a musical interlude onstage, this year singing “Ooh La La” by The Faces, accompanied by Music Director Scott Hoffman and Lila Goleman '19. The semicircle of seniors, finally standing at their high school commencement, seemed to want to absorb every detail of the moment as their eyes wandered over the crowd.
After the interlude, Chair of the Board of Trustees Zach Kolodin '03 was invited to the podium to share his remarks. He reflected that “students are seen here in ways they may not be seen other
places” and expressed the Board’s gratitude and awe for the incredible faculty and students at The Academy. At The Academy, Mr. Kolodin observed, one doesn’t just talk, one creates. The Academy offers a uniquely invested and hands-on education. Finally, he encouraged people to get to know Bill Corwin who will be stepping in as Board Chair in the new year.
Nora Bates Zale '00 then gave the Graduation Address. “I have been ready for your senior year for several years now,” she said to the class of 2019, “knowing full well how completely you would embody the spirit of our school in becoming our student leaders— and you did not disappoint.” In her address, Mrs. BZ laid emphasis on the value of community, saying that her “dearest hope” for the senior class was that they “seek community in [their] new beginning.” Touching on one of The Academy’s most important principles, she declared “I firmly believe that we gain a great deal as individuals by being a part of a whole.”
Additionally, prior to graduation, Mrs. BZ had reached out to the Academy community, asking students and staff to anonymously tell her what they appreciated about each of the seniors. At the end of her address, she took the time to read selected appreciations about each graduating senior. The appreciations, all inspiringly positive and loving, brought to light the immense unspoken gratitude we have for one another, and how The Academy values not only the community as a whole, but the importance of
Nat Boyd-Owens of Shelburne Falls will attend Greenfield Community College before pursuing a bachelor’s degree. At The Academy he played soccer and Ultimate, played in many bands, and served on the Arts & Athletics and Health & Wellness Councils. For
his Senior Project, Nat created a six-song EP called Through the Smoke that he wrote, recorded and engineered, having been inspired by his participation in music and songwriting Studio Blocks at The Academy. He was the recipient of the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts
Award in Performance as a senior, and as a junior he was recognized as an Upper School Outstanding Athlete. Nat plans to study music and sound engineering, and to continue to create and play music.
individual character.
After Mr. Gay and Mrs. BZ handed each member of the Class of 2019 their diploma, declaring them the newest alumni of The Academy at Charlemont, each of our newest alums shared some last thoughts with the audience. These speeches brought the audience to laughter, by Nat Boyd-Owens or Liam Neeley, to smiles, by Lila Goleman or Francesca Ruggiero-Corliss, or inspiration, by Kayla Haskins, Ethan Brossard or Isadora Brenizer. Nathaniel Boyd-Owens wrote toasts (instead of roasts, in the style of Michael Scott in The Office), for each of his classmates, following each toast with, “Boom, toasted.” Isadora Brenizer compared herself to a hermit crab. “You could say this place has been like my shell...for now I’ll be roaming the sandy bottom of the sea in search of another shell that fits just right.” Ethan spoke of his entry into The Academy, saying, “the thought of having
fun at school was not something I had considered for a long time,” revealing his thankfulness for the engaging Academy community, and also its photography program. Sophia Corwin engaged all of the audience’s senses in describing her memories associated with The Academy. Lila Goleman expressed her gratitude to friends and family in a casual style all her own, finishing with two haikus. Kayla Haskins talked about the confidence she developed during her Academy experience, stating “The Academy is what I needed to find myself… it gave me knowledge of how powerful passion can be.” Calla Jones spoke of the surprising impact The Academy had on her during her relatively short time there. “It showed me how to be an individual within a larger system,” she said. Isabel Linfield thanked her parents for inspiring in her the confidence to be herself. Liam, as a testament to all the humor and joy he has brought to The Academy for the last 6 years,
had the audience laughing and nodding one last time as he said, “When I look back at my time at The Academy, I think, has it really been 6 years? And it is hard to tell, not only because all the clocks show a different time, but because this school has become so important to me and changed who I am.” Francesca Ruggiero-Corliss touched on several fond memories, and gave out heartfelt thank-yous to her family and friends. Leni described her 14 years of being affiliated with The Academy, saying, “I am eternally grateful to this place for giving me the space to grow into myself.” Ishan Summer said he was “fulfilled and full of hope” as he ended this chapter of his valued relationship with The Academy. Finally, Tucker Zakon-Anderson ended the graduation speeches perfectly by stating, “the people here make this school as great as it is.”
The class then announced their class gifts: two new amps for the music department, new black fabric to be used for dances and the play, a cover for the beloved cob oven, and $1,000 donated to the marketing budget.
The Class of 2019 recessed out of the tent while everyone sang the school song, Vivat Academia
Like the small white seeds still snowing down from the cottonwood trees, the white-clad graduates drifted out and over the lawn, talking and smiling. They were soon joined by their family, friends and faculty for refreshments and congratulations. It was a beautiful ceremony. Congratulations to the Classes of 2023 and 2019!
Isadora Brenizer is from Colrain. She is currently attending Smith College. During her years at The Academy she was involved in drama productions annually, played soccer and Ultimate, and served on a variety of councils. She credits older students on the Com-
munity Service Council when she was young for inspiring her to be a leader. As a sophomore, she was recognized with the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Award in Visual Arts. Izzy’s interest in the arts culminated in her Senior Project, the creation of a pop-up
story book called Sweet Dreams: A Journey Through Pop-ups. This intricate book tells the story of her great-great-grandmother who fled to the US from Italy, having stolen her sister’s dowry. Art will continue to be an important pursuit for Izzy.
Ethan Brossard is from Northampton. He took a PG year at The Academy in the 2019-20 school year. As an undergraduate he enjoyed Photography electives, and architecture and ceramic Studio
Sophia Corwin of Northampton now brings her talents to Vassar College. As an 8th grader she co-founded The Academy’s GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) and played a leadership role thereafter. She was recognized the following year for that work, along with Leni Sperry-Fromm, with a Peacemaker
Block classes. He was a member of the Sustainability and Arts Councils. Ethan is a cello player, and for his Senior Project, he explored the art of lutherie. His efforts in this massive undertaking resulted in
Award from the Interfaith Council of Franklin County and Traprock Center for Peace and Justice. She was also an active member of the Social Justice Council. As a junior, she received the Robert Jaros Citizenship Award, and as a senior she served as the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. For her Se-
Lila Goleman is from Conway. She took a gap year in 2019-20 and now attends the University of New Mexico. Lila credits The Academy with her deep involvement with music and says this is where she got to bloom. She performed in four drama productions and most
starting to construct a violin. Ethan is now attending the Rhode Island School of Design.
nior Project Sophia created a chapbook of poems and photographs called Bouquet of Secrets about being a teenager and growing into her own sexuality. Sophia was very involved in Grove yearbook production, photography (both for the yearbook and as an elective), and enjoyed visual arts opportunities at The Academy.
fondly recalls Shakespeare in Hollywood as a “breakout role” in her junior year, when she was recognized with the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Award in Performance.
Lila made it a point to serve on many different councils, played soccer and Ultimate, and remem-
bers fondly The Academy’s March 2017 trip to Cuba. For her Senior Project she created a book of short stories and poems called Danny and Mudpie inspired by her conversations over many months with senior citizens.
Kayla Haskins hails from Ashfield, Chesterfield, and Florence. She now attends Prescott College in the fall. Kayla was a founder of The Academy’s new Food & Gardens Council, a complement to her Senior Project—building a greenhouse so students can have
Calla Jones of Whately spent a Gap Year engaged in outdoor education and work and now attends Oberlin College. At The Academy she served on the Social Justice Council, played soccer and Ultimate, and enjoyed painting electives. Calla’s Senior Project was fo-
the opportunity to work in and eat the produce from it, and thereby build a healthy connection with food. She hopes the greenhouse will continue to be a resource for hands on learning. Kayla has also been engaged with lots of music and songwriting through Studio
cused on the relationship between people and the land they occupy, in her hometown. She created maps that tell the stories of land use and human experience, including an interactive online version with links to audio files of people telling their own personal stories. At
Isabel Linfield of Amherst now attends Tufts University. At The Academy she served on the Community Service Council and was on the Grove yearbook staff, and enjoyed art and photography. An accomplished equestrian, she pur-
Avery Mayer is from Greenfield. She took a Gap Year and is now pursuing other goals. While at The Academy she was a cross country runner and served on the Arts, Health and Wellness, and Social
Blocks and has enjoyed painting electives, playing Ultimate and hiking.
Francesca Ruggiero-Corliss of Northampton and Florence will attend Pitzer College in the fall of 2021. At The Academy she was a leader of the Social Justice Council and as a junior, she was recognized with the Ellen MacLeish Zale Community Service Award for her commitments outside of The
Academy. Chessie also received the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Award in Visual Arts, and has been actively engaged in ceramics, photography, drawing and painting classes. For her Senior Project, Chessie built a cob oven on campus in an effort to bring the community together through
the practice of sustainable cooking and eating, and taught a popular Studio Block class to ensure the continued integration of the oven into the school’s food program.
graduation she was recognized with the Robert Jaros Citizenship Award.
Leni Sperry-Fromm is from Goshen. She now attends Barnard College. A co-founder as an 8th grade student of The Academy’s GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), she was recognized the following year for that work, along with Sophia Corwin, with a Peacemaker Award from the Interfaith
Council of Franklin County and Traprock Center for Peace and Justice. She was also an active member of the Social Justice Council and the Grove yearbook staff where she put her photography interests and talents to use. For her Senior Project, Leni expanded upon her fascination with television to cre-
ate a show bible for five seasons of a series that she envisions called The New Normal. The show bible includes information about characters and character development, synopses of plots, and ideas about tone and format.
sued riding as an independent sport. Isabel’s Senior Project involved the creation of a website and a brochure to help educate horse owners about better preventive equine care. Her knowledge and her understanding of the need
Justice Councils. Avery particularly enjoyed painting and anatomical drawing electives, and pursued a Senior Project involving the creation of her own animation.
Liam Neeley of Shelburne now attends the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He is a founding member of The Academy’s new Technology Council, and has been teaching a programming Studio Block this year. A recipi-
ent as a junior of the Jane Grant Honor Council Award, Liam is known throughout the school as a helpful, kind, and quiet doer. His Senior Project combined his interest in technology and strategic combat games, as he developed a
came from her internship with an equine veterinarian.
Ishan Summer of Shelburne Falls will attend Skidmore College in the fall of 2021. At The Academy, he participated in music and Ultimate, and served on the Arts & Cultural Exchange and Health & Wellness Councils. A highlight for Ishan was hosting an exchange student, Julen Porracchia, during
Tucker Zakon-Anderson is from Conway. He has taken his talents to Northeastern University. While at The Academy, Tucker enjoyed playing music, facilitating music, and helping others learn music. He played soccer, basketball, and Ultimate and as a junior he was recognized as an outstand-
his junior year, and they continue to stay connected. Ishan’s Senior Project was an exploration of viability of incorporating crickets as an alternative protein source into the western diet and barriers to/ reasons for adoption.
ing Upper School Athlete. Tucker’s love of music served as the inspiration for his Senior Project, the creation of Steel Tongue Drums, a prototype and a second, improved product. He wrote and produced a how-to video as well.
board game called Fleet Assault
The excerpts below are from various speeches given during a virtual awards ceremony (late May, 2020) and a physically-distanced ceremony (early June) for graduates and their families. Following the latter, our newest alumni were then greeted in different pull-off spots and parking lots along Route 2 by members of the community in celebration of the occasion. A recording of that ceremony can be found on our Vimeo page.
Excerpt from Nora Bates Zale’s Speech to the Graduates at their Ceremony:
“...What is about to happen, in the intangible sense, happens regardless of how distant we must be from one another right now. You are about to become alumni. You will join hundreds of others in this cohort of people who all understand this place in a way that you just can’t when you’re a student. You’re probably starting to now--you’ve had a leg up on other alums by being forced away from campus this spring--but it takes real time and distance, and becoming parts of other communities to fully get how precious this institution and its ethos is. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but there is something about Academy life that is remarkably sweet. … By being in this tiny, warm place that insists on civility and respect, you’ve had to learn how to cope with people and with ideas and expectations that are not necessarily those which you would choose to do so. There was no flying under the radar, putting your head down and sliding through unnoticed, or
only talking to people you really like. You have had to bring energy, enthusiasm, effort, respect, tolerance, and celebration no matter what else you had going on in your lives. ...
And again, something you already possess as you step into alumnihood is the home you have in one another. These friendships you have woven so tightly
emplifies this perfectly: ““Will you go back?" asked the Lord of the Gallows. "To America?" "Nothing to go back for," said Shadow, and as he said it he knew it was a lie. "Things wait for you there," said the old man. "But they will wait until you return.”
Though you’ll never be able to replicate that which you experienced here as a student,
journeys you’ve been on and what new homes you’ve found. We will wait until you return.”
Excerpts from Speeches by the Class of 2020:
Solomon Chase:
months. You are all in my top 50 people of all time. Next, I must thank the student body as a whole. You are a loving, hilarious, passionate group. Please, never stop helping each other learn and
fortable, to turn on your videos and, if you’d like, to unmute yourselves. (If there’s echo, there’s echo.)
Okay. Now is a strange moment to be graduating in a lot of ways, and I’ve had a hard time knowing what’s right to say here. I guess thank-yous. I’ll keep these short.
proofreading every paper I wrote, I may still be graduating from high school . But these four years wouldn’t have been the positive ones they gifted me.
will continue to give you shelter throughout your lives, so long as you choose to allow them to do so. … Your high school years have occurred at a remarkable time in our nation’s history, together you have reckoned with so much unfolding in the world around you. You will need each other to remind yourselves of what it took to make it through these years, to imagine impending adulthood together. ... And maybe you’ll return, to be reminded of all of this and more.
I know current students often roll their eyes at alums returning to campus. I remember doing that too. … But know that you are always welcome, and know that we do want to see you, even if you’re not ready to return until a later time. I found a quote from Neil Gaiman’s American Gods that ex-
things will still wait for you here, whenever you do come back. The cacophony of multiple bands rehearsing, the smells of someone cooking in the HBH, the fringes of notebook paper scattered across the floor of Erato, or maybe stuffed in the couch cushions. ... The sight of everyone outside on that first really warm day of spring, splayed out across the fields like reptiles, soaking in the sun, the sound of a teacher speaking a little more loudly than normal, striving to hold the focus of students still in class during those same moments. The raw emotion in the air right before the drama performances, the pure joy of Morning Meeting announcements when a victory is shared or a birthday recognized. All of that will remain, and persist. And we’ll be here, eager to hear what
“...What’s important are all the little moments from when we were present together, and I’m grateful for those. I’m grateful for that time at the seventh grade potluck when Nick sprayed himself in the eyes with bug spray, and also for the last hours I spent in The Academy, celebrating my fellow castmates over roasted turkey legs the size of two-liter Coke bottles. I really don’t have much more than straightup, corny gratitude. So, thanks. Thank you, Mr. Gay, for guiding me through the soul-searching process that is college applications. Thank you, Ms. Falco, for showing me the right way to have an existential crisis. BZ — thank you for teaching me how to be empathic and to understand my privilege by example. Thank you, John, for your commitment to community-wide, positive change. Mr. Almeida — thanks for nerd sniping me every so often. Thank you, Mr. Green, for teaching me to be a determined artist of my own right. And of course, Mrs. Karlin — it feels like we’re on the same track known as ‘the plight of the theater artist’ and you’re shouting advice to me from a million light years ahead. Thank you.
A few more necessary appreciations: first, my classmates. You all are the people who have kept me sane over the past couple of
grow. It has been a privilege to be your Student Rep. this year. And last of all, it’s time to shout out my family. Mama and Papa — you are the reason I have this. You are the ones who taught me to be curious and to value the humans with whom I live. And Ruby — thank you for being a playmate, a role model, and an understanding ear. There are so many more to appreciate, but I’ve already used like three-times my time. So, in the vain of Ms. Falco’s Zoom discussions, I'm gonna awkwardly mute myself now. Bye…”
Claire Grunberg:
“...I should admit: over the past years I have thought quite a bit about graduation. It’s funny when you picture something and then
First, The Academy as a whole: you taught me what community can be and how to be a member. You taught me how to care and how to think. I came to this place not knowing much, and now I know a little more: you all have taught me how to love and learn and be aware. Thanks. My class: thank you for holding each other up. Thank you for the Milkweed Kingdom and peanut-butter antics in Keith Fagan’s basement. Thanks for teasing me about the Björk cover band. You’re my closest friends—I love you and already miss you. My teachers. Once Kathleen and I came up with an alliterative nickname for each of you. We never meant to share these with you, but here I go: Thank you to Mild-Mannered Miller, Young Young, Busy BZ, Konfident Karlin, Magical Mitchell, Angelic Almeida, Filosophical Falco, Mr. Gay, Mme Mauri, Hoffman—I guess we didn’t come up with nicknames for you. Anyway. You all have taught me more than you might know. Thank you. Thank you to my family, for making these six years possible and always supporting. Thank you to anyone I talked to in the hallway (when we had hallways). Anyone who laughed with me. Anyone who laughed at me. Anyone who played music with me or talked books with me. You have left something with me, and it’ll stay.”
David Chavez:
for a more permanent family. Thank you to the Loomis family, for stepping up and letting me stay with you guys for the rest of the school year. Thank you to the deLorenzo’s, for hosting me for a full semester, and the Osborne family, for letting me stay with them even during this pandemic. And of course, none of this would have been possible without Mme. Mauri, Ms. Powers, and Jackie Walsh, who have looked out for me for these past two years, and introduced me to this community. One last thank you I have, is for everyone who participated in Lasagna Wednesdays, I wish we could have done it more this semester. And of course, I want to thank my parents for letting me return here for a second year, I know it was hard not having me home for a long time.
Lane Moore:
...It seems good things from The Academy came to me in threes. From our three wonderful Heads of School, the three buildings that I miss so dearly, and the three exams I have yet to turn in, to the three wonderful years I have spent learning in Charlemont, Massachusetts. As such, I thought it only appropriate that I thank the three groups of people without whom I would not be speaking to from this Zoom call.
Secondly, I sincerely thank The Academy’s dedicated faculty and staff. From these people I have learned more than the concept of orbital hibernation, multiplying a matrix by a matrix, or John Locke’s theory of man. I have learned how to discuss art, learn from more than just a textbook, and appreciate subjects I lack a natural affinity for (*cough cough math). Excuse me.
Thirdly a deep thank you to my classmates who really are my academy experience. I have spent roughly 734,400 minutes with these people. I did the math. I am proud to be graduating alongside these beautiful, strong, independent people who have completely ruined steely dan for me. From them I have learned so much, namely that I will never partake in the formation of a Björk cover band.
something else happens. I pictured myself at a podium speaking to people who are in front of me, not at a computer at my desk in my bedroom speaking at faces on the screen. To make this a little more like the former, I invite you all, if you are com-
“I'm not very good at writing speeches, hence why I heavily relied on memes for my last one, so today, I want to thank everyone who made my stay here possible, and the best two years I have ever had. Thank you to the Schiff family, for agreeing to host me for about 6 weeks while we searched
First I have to thank my family. My mother, father, brother and dog, Curly, have been my champions, my support team, and my friends for as long as I can remember and continue to hold me up every day. Without Curly’s snuggles, my brother’s eloquent explanations of pop culture references, my mother's unending support even when we fight, or the time my father spent
Now I thank a bonus group of people, the current students of The Academy. Thank you for your friendship, support and love. In return I have three, no surprise there, pieces of advice. Make time for the things you love, they are important. Acknowledge your emotions, they are valid. And always be careful about what sunscreen you wear because a lot of them contain harsh chemicals.
Kathleen Strachota:
...I have so many memories of enjoyable times that I don’t have one favorite. So I thought I’d share a memory from each year.
9th grade: Spending our frees
in Ms. Tirk’s office. Remember trying to fit 6 people on that couch?
10th grade: Solly, Claire and I began to regret Humanities with
Enrichment when we had to read Crime and Punishment. I think the only thing any of us remembers is that there was a dream about a horse.
11th grade: The trip to DC. Remember when Mr. Young fell asleep on the steps of that government building? And when we saw Batman? And the guys in suits and shades, holding briefcases while they rode their scooters?
12th grade: Of course I’ll remember this whole strange time of remote learning, but the memories I will cherish more are the ones of our whole class trying to fit around the senior table while having five conversations at once and eating lasagna, and our completely disorganized whole class morning meeting announcements.
Katie Tobits:
The Academy has been my family and my home for the past five years. I secretly dreaded summer vacations and couldn’t wait to be in the place that accepted me for who I was and who I will continue to be, and taught me to
be the confident, resilient, intelligent, capable, and determined woman I am now. I owe it to every single one of you for making my life well worth living. So you have my unguarded, immeasurable, and most loving thank you, to all of my teachers, to my class, to my cast mates for making my last day at school the best day ever, to my closest friends, my friends’ parents because they often treated me as their own (shoutout to the Strachotas), and most of all, to my mom for being my best friend and the best mother I ever could’ve asked for, and lastly to my brother, for our shared insane ideas and car rides, and your never-ending love and support.
I am ready to leave now, to go on exciting adventures in beautiful places with amazing humans, to have the time of my life, to cherish the memories I have with all of you, and if you ever manage to track me down in my adult life, which may be difficult, I promise I will welcome you with open arms and continue to love you deeply and unconditionally, because you are my home and family. Goodbye for now, and thank you.
Postgraduate student, Ethan Brossard:
It’s pretty sad that my time as a student at Charlemont is ending. But it’s weird, in some ways I’m not as sad as I expected myself to be. And that’s not because Charlemont suddenly means less to me, it still means a huge amount, and my years here have been the most enjoyable out of all my years in school. And though I’m looking forward to starting at RISD next year, I don’t think that’s why either. These past few months have been weird, and I think because we haven’t actually been at Charlemont, my subconscious hasn’t yet realised that there are no more classes and the year is over. The usual end-ofyear activities haven’t happened; there’s no big tent to see when walking out of school every day, and no one has been tasked with carrying the heavy stage pieces all the way over from Burrington.
the first time since 8th grade. I was struck by two things when I began teaching that group again: 1. I had to accept that they were grown up, different people than the little cherubs I once knew, and 2. They did all that growing up together, and it showed in their group dynamics, and in their remarkable ability to make meaning together.
David Amaya, who hails from Ciudad Obregón, Mexico, joined the Class of 2020 in the fall of 2018, and enjoyed his time so thoroughly that he managed to stay on an additional year--a rarity for Aard-
varks from aboard! David was a key member of the Tech Council, and was known for his hilarious “memes” that he would leave on the whiteboards of Terpsichore.
David’s senior project took a dive
into space and the aerospace industry with a four-part video series exploring history, space agencies, rocket function, and more. He will be attending The Technological Institute of Monterrey (Mexico).
In some ways though, this year’s lack of a tangible conclusion has made me realize even more how special of a place Charlemont is, and how great our community is. Some of you may have been surprised that I came back as a post-grad this year, but I’m afraid I have to tell you that though I’ll be going new places next year, you still won’t be rid of me yet, as this school will always be special to me, and I plan on coming back to visit as much as I can.
Excerpt from Liz Falco’s Speech to the Class of 2024 on the Occasion of Finishing Middle School:
“Even though we are all separated, 8th graders, you kept showing up. You kept making this place real, making this schooling experiment real, for me and for each other. Because, it turns out, a place is just an idea. Communities are made of people. The place gives us context, gives us space, but it is nothing without us. And we, as an 8th grade class, have already had our time together now. So, what was it all about?
I submit to you that 8th grade is all about relationships, about laying the groundwork for the relationships that will form, and re-form, and evolve throughout your time here. This a worthwhile endeavor, for practical reasons, from a Humanities teacher’s standpoint. How much is a student willing to risk in a classroom in which they don’t feel safe, or heard, or seen? Not very much. Discussions would be short and perfunctory. And, if you know me, you know I am all about discussion.
I say this with a bit of perspective, as this year, I had the class of 2020 back in Erato for
These group dynamics run deep. They are rooted in the kind of knowledge that you can only get by growing up, intellectually and emotionally, alongside other young people during some of your most formative years. That is the real value of our program, here, finding out what happens when you are forced to see others grow up, and accept your own growth, and set boundaries, and learn how to communicate, with the same kids year after year. There is so much at stake in these kinds of conversations-but that statement has a twin, which is: there is so much to gain. As the years go on, you will do this in the classroom, but, more frequently, you’ll do it outside the classroom. You have to practice hearing each other, helping each other articulate ideas, and challenging each other respectfully and with purpose.
I am of the mind that the best way to do this kind of work is to do it within the context of a supportive learning community, made up by people with whom you have shared meaningful experiences, and have risked a great deal intellectually and emotionally, and have worked through moments of pain, and confusion, and boredom, and existential dread.
So, 8th graders, we will be back in our building again, but in the meantime, be mindful of how you are tending to the relationships you have with your classmates right now. And when you return as high schoolers this fall, keep in mind the roots you are laying down. Show your classmates that you value their ability to grow and change, and they will value it in you.
Thank you for letting me be your teacher, and I will see you back in Erato someday.”
Solly Chase of Williamsburg plans to attend Northwestern in 2021 after a gap year of working, volunteering, and traveling. Solly was involved in Academy theater productions and social justice opportunities like the GSA. For his senior project, Solly created a work of site-specific theater which he
transitioned into a virtual piece due to the onset of the pandemic.
Solly served as the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. Other highlights from his time at The Academy include class and school trips to places like Cuba, Washington DC, and Montreal and the day-to-day community ex-
Claire Grunberg, from Shelburne Falls, will take a gap year before attending Smith College. During her gap year, she’ll be doing local community organizing work before farming through WWOOF this spring. Claire enjoyed Academy Studio Block bands, serving as a leader through Student Advisory
Nicholas Hallenbeck a resident of Charlemont, loved The Academy community, despite the frequent haranguing from Ms. Mitchell and Mrs. BZ about leaving his lunch on the bench in the
periences. Solly received the Robert Jaros Citizenship Award and the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Award for Work in Performance as a senior, previously earning the Award for Academic Excellence during his junior year.
Board and Interschool Relations Council, teaching a Creative Writing Studio Block, and spearheading the creation of 2 West, an Academy-run literary magazine. Her senior project involved interviewing family members and creating a collection of poetry based on their stories. She fondly notes the sense
foyer. A devotee of the Minecraft in the Common Room Crew, and a beloved member of different musical and theatrical groups throughout the years, Nick became an Academy fixture who we all will
Aislyn Jewett , of Florence, may have only been at The Academy for two years, but they left quite a mark as an incredible musician, a leader of the GSA, and a member of the Food & Gardens Council.
of community that The Academy fosters and the way that the school encourages students to find their passions. Claire was the recipient of the Award for Academic Excellence in 10th grade and the Jane Grant Honor Council Award in her junior year.
miss! Nick’s senior project involved designing and developing his own video game, leading him to explore several aspects of game development.
Aislyn’s senior project culminated in the construction of a treehouse and involved explorations of and preparations for food re-supplies for their upcoming thru-hike of the Vermont Long Trail. They will
matriculate to Warren Wilson College.
Lane Moore is from Sunderland. Following her graduation from The Academy, Lane plans to take a gap year in order to work and travel (hopefully to Nepal!) before matriculating to Pitzer College in the fall of 2021. From her experiences at The Academy, Lane
Reilly Osborne of Northampton, was known during his Academy tenure as a master of the elements--clay and whitewater, specifically. A long devotee of our ceramics program, and an incredi-
fondly remembers time working in the darkroom, playing music in Studio Blocks and performing at concerts, participating in Hiking Club, and taking part in formative seminar-based learning environments. Through her senior project, Lane compiled an environmental-
bly skilled kayaker, Reilly inspired many an Aardvark in these areas. For his senior project, Reilly worked with the Connecticut River Conservancy on a project on land usage and water quality in the
Talos Prophet traveled to The Academy from South Deerfield. Following Commencement, he plans to attend MassArt. During his time at The Academy, Talos took part in a wide variety of Studio Blocks and expanded his horizons
Rory Sweeting speaks fondly of his two years as an Academy student, having become rather disenchanted with his prior educational experience. Rory was a quick study
ly-friendly cookbook, exploring the idea of sustainable cooking and agriculture. She was the recipient of the senior class Award for Academic Excellence at Commencement this year.
Deerfield Watershed, helping him gain a better understanding of the river just across the street from our campus! Reilly matriculates to the University of Maine.
as a visual artist over the years. His favorite memories from the past six years include bonding with classmates and teachers during time away from campus on class trips, and small moments like cleaning the kitchen after lunch, passing
of our school’s unique and perhaps somewhat zany culture, and soon found himself a thoroughly willing participant in its stewardship.
Rory’s senior project involved the
Kathleen Strachota hails from Colrain and plans to attend Mount Holyoke College beginning in the fall of 2020. At the Academy, Kathleen was known for her thoughtfulness, willingness to help others, and community-minded nature. During her time here, she also be-
Katie Tobits hails from Readsboro, VT. After taking a gap year to work and travel, Katie plans to attend SUNY Purchase to study Theater and Performance.
Throughout her time at The Academy, Katie took part in theater and music opportunities and ran
moments with friends throughout the day, taking part in Hiking Club, and “ice skating” on the fields outside in the winter. His senior project was a short film called How to Get Rid of Headaches, a mix of digital animation and live action.
creation of his very own language, Kithnen. He will attend Goucher College.
came involved in climate activism work with the Sunrise Movement. She fondly remembers moments on class trips during her time in school as well as sitting under the crab apple trees with friends in the springtime. Kathleen’s senior project consisted of a children’s
cross country––she’s not fond of running, but loved the people she ran with. Her favorite Academy moments include class trips, traditions like Fling in the Spring, the magical day that is Academy Commencement, and sitting under the crab apple trees. For her senior
book illustrated with photographs of diorama scenes to help families in instances when a household dog isn’t the right fit and needs to be relocated. Kathleen was the recipient of the Award for Academic Excellence in her 9th grade year.
project, Katie compiled a short documentary film entitled What Katie Did where she explores ideas of identity and perspective. Katie was the recipient of the Kerlin Conyngham Fine Arts Award for Work in Performance at this year’s Commencement.
Dane Boryta
My wife, Liz, and I are doing fine out here in Denver. We moved here from San Francisco last summer to open up a new, second, Urban Putt in the Lodo part of Denver (a short walk from Union Station.) It was a massive undertaking and required more money than I ever imagined, yet we managed to open in mid-September and were humming along until the unthinkable happened.... to us all. So we closed up shop and are now playing the waiting game. Because we have an "Entertainment/Games" theme, we'll be waiting until a phase 4 opening is allowed which may still be for some time. So in the meantime there have been some opportunities to volunteer with the Denver Metro Emergency Food Network delivering food to home-bound senior citizens and isolated low-income families. Otherwise, we take walks and bicycle often. We also like to entertain the idea of eventually moving back to WMass so we'll see about that. (I'm ready to take the Honey Bear Hut to the next level!!!) Be well, do good, prosper when possible! P.S. We also see Matt Blackburn and his family from time to time.
Matthew Blackburn
Loving life in the mile high city, and happy that Dane Boryta '84, has
mile rock. And to top it off, we can now get back to family and friends in the same day, after over a decade of 30+ hr trips from Asia. I even plan to make the class reunion in 2020. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Please look us up if Bimshire bound.
Nicole (Patlin) Miller
I was at The Academy for 8th grade only. It was a fantastic experience! I am an architectural CADD designer for 26 years now. I worked at and then owned my family business in Hawley for 31 years. Built around 1200 log and panelized homes throughout New England, many local. I am married (2nd time is a
and lead the newlyweds in friendship and in life. It was the best day of my life!
Elizabeth Slowinski
I live in Shelburne Falls. I swim a lot. Really. More than most and yes, it is a point of pride. Late last year I transitioned to the Austen Riggs Center where I am a clinical social worker.
I spend a decent amount of time renovating my house and foraging. I have a cat.
Jamie (Triplett) Wildwood
mand (NAVFAC) Pacific as an archaeologist with their environmental planning division. Moving to Guam soon with my husband and two year old son to help support NAVFAC Marianas for three years and do some traveling in Asia-Pacific.
Jennifer Woods
joined me! Looking forward to more fun times and tasty meals at his new restaurant, Urban Putt!!
Kipp Sutton
We have been enjoying our new posting to the Eastern Caribbean Mission in Barbados since last fall. Living on a small island means lots of chances to practice swimming and sunburning. Also a perfect place to own our first fully electric car without range-anxiety on this 10x20
charm!) for almost 20 years. I have a daughter who is 25 and a son who is almost 18. I am currently listed and awaiting my call for a dual organ transplant, kidney and pancreas! I have three dogs and three cats - I would have more if I could! I worked with an animal rescue in Mass for almost 5 years before organ failure and relocation to Florida. I have been on dialysis for almost a year. Type one diabetic for 26 years. None of this is complaining - I love my life and am looking forward to my incredible future!!
Reni Papananias
I’m working as a nurse practitioner at NYU specializing in inflammatory bowel disease. Living in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn with my wife Noelle. We got married on 12/8/17 in Los Angeles surrounded by close family and lots of Academy alums. Sara Pedrosa '97 and her husband Hawk were a part of the ceremony and became our koumbara—a Greek tradition where another couple is asked to protect
Jamie recently got married and moved to North Carolina where he and his wife are expecting their first child soon. He lived in California for about a decade before meeting Amy and deciding to settle down back on the East Coast. Jamie and Amy
Like so many I've been furloughed from my early education teaching job at Mount Snow since mid March. In December I bought a multi-family house in North Adams to restore and use as an investment property. If the state of the world wasn't so overwhelming I would hopefully be farther along in my restoration project than I am - but alas, it is what it is and I am slowly plugging away at all of the work that needs to be done. We've mostly been staying at home, rafting on the Deerfield, tending our plants, and enjoying this time that we have to just "be". A few nomadic friends have joined the household during the pandemic and it's nice to have some more voices added to our quarantine pod. I hope everyone is able to stay safe - be well.
decided to change both of their last names to a new name, Wildwood, in honor of their new life together. They just got an Australian Shepard puppy. Jamie is a software engineer and now works mostly from home.
Megan Hawkins
Living in Hawaii for the last 10 years doing archaeology in the islands and greater Pacific. Work for the DoD at Naval Facilities Engineering Com-
Currently working at John Hancock Investments. Married in July 2019. Purchased a home in Dedham MA in July 2020. First baby due in December 2020. I love the Academy and am still very close friends with many of my 2001 classmates!
Kate Branson
In February 2018 Kate gave birth to a baby boy. Her family is very happy and baby Thomas is already enjoying some of the great things in life like sunshine, flowers, and cheering on his
involved in all things nerdy, as well as stained glass and video editing.
Luke Arbib
Chris (partner for the last decade and now wife) and I finally moved back to Massachusetts after 11 years in Montana and Utah. Highlights of the past 14 years include: getting married, undergrad/grad at Montana State Bozeman, becoming a CPA in Utah, a lot of skiing in Big Sky and plenty of adventures with Chris.
Maddy Leue
Maddy is in grad school for public policy and administration at UMass, Amherst, running research on wom-
and classmates Sam Goldberg-Jaffe, Nick Van da Kamp, Dan Quigley, Glen Eardley-Sawyer, Vic Sorvino and William Zale. The bridal party included two more aardvarks, Kath-
Shoshana Moriarty
Shoshi is in Northeastern University’s Physician Assistant program and planning to work in critical care medicine.
Stephen Arnold
brothers in their many, many sporting events. Kate continues to teach 3rd grade at an Indianapolis public school and helps teach Climate Camp (https://www.earthcharterindiana.org/ climatecamp/) in the summer.
Abel McDonnell
In December 2019, Abel and his wife Lillian welcomed their first child, Charlie.
arine Overgaard and Leah Decker. Hannah currently consults with That's What She Said, a live storytelling event in which men read stories written by women in order to break down the gender credibility gap. She also is a freelance writer and active yogi. (www.thatswhatshesaidco.org).
Erin Tuffy
I am working as an Emergency Physician in Pennsylvania where I live with my husband and two rabbits.
After the Academy I went to the George Washington University in Washington, DC, where I double-majored in Music and English. I met a great upright bass teacher there and fell in love with jazz, and I have been leading bands and performing on a couple tours and throughout the DC-area on upright and electric bass ever since. It has been a lot of fun, and it never would have happened without all the music I was able to
Todd Whitney
I live in my new home in Colchester, VT with my wife, 2 dogs and 2 cats. This has been a busy year. I've changed jobs, moved, and am celebrating my 3rd wedding anniversary. I am still
en’s access to work, and caregiving for her child and family members. She hopes everyone is healthy and well.
Katie Overgaard
All is well here in Brooklyn. Much in my life remains the same since I last wrote in: I am working lots, as Director of the Upper East Side gallery by which I have been employed since fall 2010, and am slowly assembling an art collection myself. Desperately seeking respite outside of ‘The City’ these days - particularly after escaping to the Catskills through the height of Covid-19 this spring - so if anyone has tips on reasonable ways to ‘have it all,’ please send 'em my way! It was a joy to reunite with a number of classmates at Hannah Smith's wedding in Boulder, CO last summer - looking forward to the next opportunity to see everyone and catch up in person.
Foster Ranney
Foster is pursuing a PhD in education at Simon Fraser University.
Hannah Smith
On June 1, 2019 Hannah Smith married Jesse Day in Boulder, CO. In attendance were high school friends
Makenzie Brown
I graduated from Johns Hopkins in December 2019 with my masters in special education with a concentration on severe/profound disabilities. My fiancé, Wes Kulvete, and have moved out to Seattle from Baltimore!
I’ll be starting my 5th year teaching
studies in international relations at American University. The first two years were not easy, since I had to start over adjusting to a new community. Of course, the double nostalgia for my country (China) AND The Academy kept we awake at night. Fortunately, these rough times paid off by offering various opportunities and in-depth understanding of global politics and academics in general. For my junior year, I was accepted to a one-year exchange program in Japan, under a partnership with Waseda University in Tokyo. New cultural shocks and a new life there tripled my international experiences. As I contemplated my path and my ideal livelihood for the future, I made the decision to entering academia, to explore the world with the upmost seriousness and sophistication of scholarship. I returned to DC in 2017 to complete my undergraduate degree and start my masters degree in international relations. I have spent a considerable amount of time in the library over the past two years and won the reputation of "schedule & coffee destroyer" among my university offices and my peers. As of now, I am scheduled to complete my masters in Fall 2019 and sequentially apply to PhD programs in the US. The research and application list are endless, but I have the confidence to get through!
injection molding machines and trouble shooting issues on the manufacturing floor.”
Christina Secor
I "graduated" this May from Bard College with a Bachelors's degree in Psychology and a concentration in Human Rights. My senior thesis was titled- Family Separation along the US/ Mexico Southwest Border: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Trauma, Human Rights, and Childhood Needs.
My work at the Drivers Club turned into research and interviews with female race car drivers for my senior capstone thesis: an 84 page paper on women and car racing (if anyone is interested in reading it, it's called Feminized Automobility: Racing the Car as a Cultural and Technological Artifact). I've happily continued this work past my graduation into this summer, and I intend to work at the track for the next year as I apply to graduate schools in the United Kingdom. I'm hoping to pursue my masters in Science and Technology Studies in London in Fall 2021, and potentially a PhD after that. Although things have slowed down in the world right now, I have happily taken the time to rest, relax, regroup, focus on my health, and I am looking forward to what is to come.
Maria Assunta Corciulo
Ethan Brossard
I've spent my summer trekking throughout western Massachusetts and southern Vermont with 30 pounds of camera gear. Though my spine sometimes protests the day after a shoot, while out on a photo adventure, I quickly get caught up in the moment and forget about the weight on my back. My latest project has been photographing bridges from water level, and wading out into rivers to get the shots has been a very refreshing experience through all the heat we've had lately.
at a public elementary school as an emotion behavioral self-contained special educator teacher with 3rd-5th graders. Because of COVID, Wes and I will be getting married August 15th 2020 in our backyard in Seattle and having a bigger celebration in August 2021 up at my family’s summer house in Heath! We have 2 cats named Marlo and Doc! We are happy to call Seattle our home!
learn from Dave Chalfant, Scott Hoffman, Katryna Nields, Abe Loomis, Dan Pac, and Jon Weeks at the Academy. (Dave is hugely responsible for helping me find my love of jazz, as he gave me Miles Davis' autobiography as a graduation gift, which I read cover-to-cover without having heard almost any of the music. I was hungry for the real deal!) I have been fortunate to play on records by DC bands The New World, The Keith Butler Trio, The Drag, and ¡FIASCO!. Right now I am in the process of mixing my band Sea Change's first album with my best friend, audio engineer, and Class of 2013 classmate, Ben Miller.
Zitian “Regan” Sun 2019 marks Zitian's 7th year in the US and 5th since graduating from The Academy. Time has carried me across many wonderful adventures in the world, but The Academy remains the “home” where I had the most precious experiences.
After graduation in 2014, I moved to Washington DC for undergraduate
It has been an unfortunate fact that I have not yet come back to visit The Academy. I genuinely wish our community the best. The Academy marked a complex time, but I always gratefully recall being an international student there. Fear, ignorance, and uncertainty once took advantage in my mind and I even regretted my decision to come to the US. But instead of rejecting me as an outsider, The Academy community, my host families, teachers, and friends accepted me with love and compassion. My gratitude is almost beyond my capability of expression. What I took from The Academy is irreplaceable and will remain as my fondest adventure forever. If anyone has an opportunity to come to DC, please let me know!
Erin Wooldrige
After graduating from UMass Lowell with my B.S. in Plastics Engineering, I just took a full-time position in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am a process engineer at Intralox, making modular conveyor belts out of plastic. I spend most of my time running
I spent that last three years as captain of Bard's Ultimate frisbee team and although I missed out on the last half of my senior season being a part of the team was a highlight of my college experience - a passion that started at the Academy. This August I will be starting a year-long Americorps program City Year in Philadelphia.
Eva Gray
This past May I graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Science, Technology and Society and a Sociology Correlate. My time at Vassar was incredible, despite graduating into a global pandemic. My sophomore year I began an internship for the Lime Rock Drivers Club at Lime Rock Park working with the most incredible people — and race cars — ever!
Sunta, our beloved Italian exchange student during school year of 201617 wrote to tell us about her trip to France in May to visit classmate Aiden Brenizier who was doing a semester abroad in Bordeaux.
Sunta attends school at University of Bologna and, since they both had a break, she took the opportunity to go there. THey spent a couple of days in the city, walking around, visiting museums, and eating traditional food.
Bordeaux is a wonderful city and Sunta is happy to have visited there
The pandemic has limited my access to a darkroom, which has also inspired me to explore even older photographic processes which don't require as much equipment. For this, I've begun practicing a process called collodion tintype photography, which only requires a small darkened box in which the photographic plates are prepared. Collodion tintypes are in
with Aiden. They have maintained a great friendship even after she returned to Italy after her exchange year and now, two years later, they're still close. Sunta says “I'm extremely grateful to The Academy for giving me the opportunity to meet such wonderful people like Aiden. Thank you for everything! Sending hugs from across the sea ♥.”
some ways similar to polaroids, in that the process creates a single unique image which can be viewed within a few minutes of taking the photo (In fact, if you wait longer than 10 minutes before developing it, the chemicals will dry and the image will be lost). The process was developed in 1851, and only saw widespread use for a few decades before newer alternatives replaced it. In recent decades though, it is starting to see a comeback due to its simplicity and relative safety compared to other processes from around its time. I say relative safety because it still uses chemicals like silver nitrate and ether, which can be very harmful if misused. However, other similar processes like daguerreotypes are developed by surrounding the plates in mercury fumes, which, especially considering that the early Victorian era isn't known for it's safety concerns, means it's likely a good thing that process fell out of style.
Andrea Keins P15, 21
Ann Hallenbeck P20
Ashfield Soap Company
Ashfield Stone
Ashfield Tools, P06
Aysha Peltz Pottery P24
B Mango & bird
Barbara Cover
Bartlett Doty ’00
Beverley and Robert Yoon P08, 10
Black Cow Burger Bar
Bob and Sandy White
Boho Chocolates
Boswell's Books
Bread Euphoria
Bug Hill Farm
BZ-A Handwovens P17, 19
Carol Lamee P2
Chai-Wallah
Christy Knox P14, 17
Clarkdale Fruit Farm
Cassie Nylen Gray, Clementine ’93
Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01
Cyndy Sperry
Daniel Kramer
Dave's Soda and Pet Food City
David Chase P20, 22
David Fersh
Deb Hoyle P05
Denny Fuller
Diane Loesch and Peter Jones
Dot's Restaurant Wilmington
Mac McCoy, dZi Handmade P15
Elaine Parmett, P86, 88
Elbow Room Coffee Company
Elements Hot Tub Spa
Eliza Bigelow ’21
Elizabeth Keyes
Elliot Levin Photographer
Eric Smith
Gayle Kabaker P12
Gazebo Grey Matter Books
Hadley Garden Center
Hager's Farm Market
Hancock Shaker Village
Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Headwater Cider
Hilltown Wilderness Adventures
Hope and Olive
Jane Grant P92, 94, 96
Jayne and Robert Dane
Jen Smith
Jen Violette
Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19, 22
Jessica Gibb and Adam Buursma P23, 21
Johnny's Tavern
Judie's Restaurant
Karen Rehmus P10, 14
Katherine Anderson ’16
Keith Clark P21
Ken and Diane Bigelow P14, 16, 21
Ken Kipen
Kevin French
Kimberly Pisinski P22, 24
Kuklinski Woodworking
Kurt Meyer P11, 14, 16
Laura Anderson Hill
Leprechaun Sheepskin
Lida Bihun-Forbes P21, 22
Linn Bower
Lisa Lamore P24
Logan Shapiro ’08
Lone Wolf
Marguerite Morris Willis GP13, 21
Marian Ives
MASS MoCA
Megan Hart P07
Missy Wick P12
Mohawk Trail Concerts, Inc.
Molly Cantor
Morrell Metalsmiths
Mo's Fudge Factor
Mystic Pinball
Nancy Rapoport and Roxane Marini P22
Natural Roots
New England Cheese Making
Supply Company
Nina Wurgaft P22
North by Northeast Woodworks
Northampton Olive Oil Company
Northampton Wools
Ode
OESCO
Owl Tree Games
Paul and Val Luther
Peterman's Boards and Bowls
Pinz Entertainment
Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting
Piyali and Brian Summer P19
Pondside Pizza
Pothole Pictures
Provisions
Prudence Wholey
Real Pickles
Rising Sun Forge
Sadie Erin Photography
Salmon Falls Gallery
Sam's Outdoor Outfitters
Sandy Bigelow Mazzella
ANNUAL GIVING • The Academy relies on the generous, annual support of our community of alumni/ae, parents, families and friends to sustain our programs. Annual Giving supports all of The Academy’s programs, including financial aid.
LEGACY GIVING • An investment in The Academy at Charlemont through a bequest provision or any other planned gift vehicle is a meaningful contribution that demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in the mission and value of an Academy education. Common forms of legacy giving include:
• A bequest of cash, stock, personal or real property via a will, or beneficiary giving via a trust, retirement plan, or life insurance
• Life income plans such as a Charitable Gift Annuity
• Charitable Remainder Trust
Donors are encouraged to discuss their charitable giving plans and needs with their own financial and legal advisors. Our Development Office welcomes inquiries and notification of intent in matters of legacy giving.
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ENDOWMENT GIFTS • Endowment gifts are permanently restricted to support The Academy’s programs, including but not limited to financial aid, and help sustain The Academy over the long term. Most recently, family and friends established the Eleanor (Ellie) Lazarus Memorial Fund for the Arts to support The Academy’s Studio Block program.
Sara Wein, P16
Sarah Schoedel
Scoop Shack
Scott and Pam Haskins P19
Sheepskin Outpost
Sheila Litchfield Dell Farm
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
Sidehill Farm
Simple Gifts Farm
Snow Farm
Spoonwood Cabin Creamery and Remedy Wine Bar
Stephen Earp
Susan Shaw
Susan Tilton Pecora
Taproot Threads
The Blue Rock Restaurant and Bar
The Lord Jeffery Inn
The Manwell Family P14
The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Prindle School
Tom Por, The Trustees of Reservations P23, 25
Tom's Earrring and Necklace
Holders
Town Hill Pottery
Trader Joe's
Tree Top Pottery
Uppercut Glass
Vävstuga Weaving School
Vera Maitinsky GP15, 21
Walter Cudnohufsky
Wasik's Cheese Shop
West End Pub
Jessica Mullins, World Eye Bookshop P23
Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom, Zoar
Outdoor P14
The Academy accepts gifts by check, money order, or credit card and gifts of appreciated securities.
ONLINE GIFTS • Please visit www.charlemont.org/give to make a secure online gift with a credit card. Online gift processing is available for one-time or recurring gifts.
RECURRING GIFTS • The Academy can process a recurring monthly gift with credit card information from the donor, either online as above or manually with the donor’s signature on file. Donors may indicate the beginning and end date of the pledge.
MATCHING GIFTS • Many companies match or multiply charitable contributions made by their employees. Be sure to check with your personnel office about your company’s matching gift policy, and please provide our Development Office with necessary forms in order to maximize your support for The Academy.
PLEDGES • Donors may make pledges to the Annual Fund. Pledges must be paid by June 30th, the end of the fiscal year.
The Academy at Charlemont gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their voluntary contributions to our Annual Fund during the 2019-2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020). Donors are listed in the following categories: Headmaster’s Circle ($5,000 and above), Founder’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999), Charlemont Society ($1,000 - $2,499), Patrons ($500- $999), Scholars ($100 - $499) and Friends (up to $99).
Headmaster’s Circle Anonymous (3)
Carol and Mort Corwin GP19, 22
Marc Fromm and Beth Sperry P11, 14, 19
David and Jodi Howe P21
Megan Kendrick ’99 and Brian Murphy
Cornelia Kittler
Susan and Arthur Leeds
Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson P09, 12
Northampton Vision Specialists
Kathy and Ben Osborne P18, 20
Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01
Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19, 22
Missy and David Wick P12
Founder’s Society
Sarah and Mark McKusick P07, 10
Charlemont Society
Anonymous
Verne and Gail Bissell
Dane Boryta ’84 and Liz Ferro
Audrey Collins-Watson ’93
Don and Marilyn Conlan
Vivian and Jack Farber
Margery Forbes
Noah Grunberg and Janet Mullen
Tupshin Harper ’90
David and Margaret Howland
Abel McDonnell ’03
Stuart Mieher P13, 15
Lisa and Joseph Moore P20, 22
Jaka ’90 and Gadi Saarony
Deborah Shriver P03
Susan and Michael Slowinski P98, 00, 01
Oliver '88 and Toni Stebich
Sawyer Thompson ’12
Patrons
David Adie P08, 12
John Bennett Jr. GP10, 15
Nicholas Boillot and Jennifer Cody P24
L. Adlai and Karen M. Boyd GP18, 19
Nathaniel Cohen and Jody DeMatteo P13
Kerlin Conyngham
Drs. Sean ’88 and Jessica Dacus
Shoshana ’87 and Brantner Deatley
Elinor Todd ’93 and Michael Beach
Sandra Warren
Sara Wein and Neal Anderson P16
Beverley and Robert Yoon P08, 10
Scholars
Anonymous (3)
Joanne Bourbeau and George Adair P23
Kim Alexander
Kathleen Alford ’07
Glenn and Heidi Arnold P13
Carolyn Asbury and Peter Ranney P06
John D. Baldwin
Robert Balkind
Britt Banks
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bartlett P07, 10
Cindy and Craig Bartosewcz
Nora ’00 and Synphany Bates Zale
Diane and Ken Bigelow P14, 16, 21
Lesia and Andy Bihun GP20, 22
M. Jennifer Bloxam P10
Caryn Brause and Steven Breslow P21
Mr. Paul Breault
Debran Brocklesby and Mary Lee GP23
Tracie and Koren Butler-Kurth
Jill and Robert Cahn GP24
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell III GP13, 15
Paul and Amy Catanzaro P21
William Chester GP07, 10
Jesse Cohen ’13
Carlotta Crissey Chandler
Jayne and Robert Dane
Ellen Doris and Bob Strachota P20
Leanne and Ed Dowd P13
Sue Draxler P21
Linda Driscoll and Nelson Shifflett P88
Aethena Enzer-Mahler ’00
Michael and Joanna Evans
Martha and Gary Evans GP23
Chris Farley and Juliet Jacobson P12
Alan and Betsy Fraker P03
Don and Margaret Freeman
Martha MacLeish Fuller and Herbert H. Fuller
Virginia Gabert ’84
Neal and Christina Gay
Paul Gay and Sue Macmillan
Ken and Laura Huff GP18, 19
Rachael Ingraham ’03
Petra Jaros ’04 and Anna Leue ’02
David Jaros ’90
Kristin Kane and Peter Redington P25
Andrea and John Keins P15, 21
Phyllis Keyes
Max Kitchell ’12
Maggie and Carol LaMee P21
Thomas and Nancy Leue P96, 04
Brendan Levine ’01
James Linfield and Sheryl Waxler P19
Christine Lioce P15
Michael Lioce Jr. GP15
Sally Loomis and Paul Jahnige P16, 24
Simon MacLean ’92 and Jessica Striebel MacLean
Vera Maitinsky GP15, 21
Tara Mason and
Edward Whitaker P25
Mac McCoy and Polly Byers P15
Thomas McCrumm and Judy Haupt P97
Jessamy McKay Ackerman ’89
Keith Meister
Varis Mohler ’00
Douglas Moore GP20
Lane Moore ’20
Frederick Moss
James and
Charlene Neeley P13, 15, 19
Liam Neeley ’19
Wil Neeley ’15
Zoe A. Neeley ’13
Lisa Newman and Dang Huynh P25
Jeff Novick
Cassie Nylen Gray ’93
Connor O'Brien ’17
Jeffrey L. O’Brien
Joanne O'Connell GP23
Emma Picardi ’13
Jane and Michael Plager P16
Zoe Plakias ’04
Thomas Por GP23, 25
Stephanie Powers P19
Monica Pulci and Daniel
Delesdernier P15, 16
Stephanie and David Purington P11, 14
Patricia Rapinchuk GP10, 16
Charlotte Rea and Robert Fricker
Donald Robinson GP24
Leonard Melnick P10
Phoebe Shaw and David Chase P20, 22
Joshua Shurtleff ’93 and Jennifer McLemore
Elizabeth Slowinski ’98
M. Towner Smith P22
Mac Snodgrass and Enedina Garcia Snodgrass
Skip and Ann Sorvino P01, 06
Cathy Stevens and Juliette Meeus
Bob and Virginia Stiepock GP23
Hunter P. Styles ’04
Rachel A. Sumner ’04
Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior P04
Kipp ’90 and Esterlina Sutton
Vicki Sutton P90
Amy and James Sweeting P20
Nicholas Taupier ’05
Kenneth ’87 and Paula Thane
Paul and Dagmar Tobits P20, 21
Emily Todd ’85 and Liam Harte
Susan Todd P85, 89, 93
Ana Toth and Dave Cahn P25
Mo Turner and Sean Glennon P23
Tony and Gisela Walker GP17, 21
Phoebe Walker and Dennis West P17, 21
Amy H. Waterman Mason ’98 and Josh Mason
Clare Watkin P27
Carole Watson GP23
Laurie Wheeler
Kurt and Julia Wigmore ’03
Marjorie L. Winfrey ’98
Jennifer Wood ’01
Michael Woodrow
William B. Zale ’06
Ellen M. Zale P00, 06
Peter and Melanie Zschau P98
Friends
Katherine Anderson ’16
Shelley Barnett ’90
Jeffrey and Jeanne Barron P13
Jeannie Bartlett ’10
Mrs. George Bluh GP16
Sara Borden
Rebekah Boyd P18, 19
Countess and David Brenizer GP17, 19
Mackenzie Brown ’11
GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES
• To make a gift of stock to The Academy, please have your broker contact The Academy’s Business Office for instructions about transferring the shares directly to our brokerage account. Stock gifts to The Academy are tax deductible.
GIFTS BY MAIL • You may mail your gift to us at: The Academy at Charlemont Development Office, The Mohawk Trail, 1359 Route 2, Charlemont, MA 01339
For more information about giving toThe Academy at Charlemont, please contact the Development Office at the address above. You may reach us by phone at 413-339-4912 or by email at developmentoffice@charlemont.org
Bartlett M. Doty ’00
Zachary Kolodin ’03 and Hilary Doe
Nancy Malina
Sabine and Michael Mauri P21
Howard and Bodil Morse P25
Edith and Ed Overtree
Karen Parmett ’86
Stacey Shurgin
Peter Stevens and Linn Bower
Martha and Ted Tirk P07
Cris Gibb GP21
Jessica and Adam Gibb-Buursma P21, 23
Pat and Tom Glennon GP22
Jane and Stephen Grant P92, 94, 96
Grace Hall ’12
Ana Maria Harkins and Jonathan Secor P19
Cary Hoffman
Jane Hovde
Stephen Hoyt
Ilene and Terry Rosenfeld GP20
Robert Rottenberg P93, 11
Philip Rovner
Charles Savage
John and Angela Schatz ’01
Mary and Joe Schatz
Ryan Schiff and Rebecca Houlihan P23
Mary Anne Schiff GP23
Katja Schneider ’12
Margaret Seiler and
Sally Miles Bruns
Carly L. Carey
Michael Catanzaro Sr. GP21
Rev. Michael Cantanzaro and Ms. Linda Potter
Solomon Chase ’20
Karen Chase Graubard
Jaslyn Cincotta ’04
Peter Conover ’88
Sophia Corwin ’19
Barbara and Norman Cover
