FENCERS CLUB
127 YEARS OF HISTORY Fencing and Family at the Fencers Club Most people think of fencing as a sport between two individual opponents. In truth, there are many ways of practicing fencing: as part of team whether of an academic institution or a fencing club. They establish their fencing teams by weapon, by age, by sex, etc. One can also practice fencing as part of a family. In the past two or three decades, American fencing has encouraged the training of an increasing number of youngsters in the sport. Many are motivated by a parent or an older relative, sometimes spouses are involved making it an activity for the entire family. The Fencers Club has encouraged this trend since its inception. Displayed on the walls of the Salle you will find many photographs. A few are quite old. Some are of late masters, some of individual fencers or Club teams, and some of U.S. Olympic teams wherein the F.C. members are identified. Among these are photographs of couples or indi-
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Mission & Goals 4 From the President of the Executive Committee & the Executive Director 6 Presenting Graduating Class of 2011 12 Alumni News 16 Fencers Club Programs 17 Peter Westbrook Foundation 22 Fencing Achievements 24 2011 Awards 28 Around the Club 33 Donors 37 Club Financials 28 Your Pages
viduals sharing a family name. These indicate that even “back then”, husbands and wives fenced at the Fencers Club. Occasionally, an Olympic team photograph shows someone with a name that has appeared on another photograph taken years earlier indicating a tradition for fencing in some families. This tradition continues and has even grown today at the Fencers Club. The Club’s recent membership roster shows family names from A to Z. Among Club members are three generations of Bases led by patriarch Dr. Bob and including two adult brothers who were members as children, one brother has just enrolled his young daughter. There three generations of Melchers led by Olympian Grandpa Jamie, Board Chairman Emeritus, and including a brother and a sister each with a child member. Also, there are a number of two-generations families including Bonamys, Budofskys, Crosses, Dows, Hadzics, Hirschfeld/Gould, Lucketts, Mallecks, Pitts, Recklings, Shorts, Strasses, and Vastolas. Special mention should be made of the Westbrook family. Although an individual Club member, Peter Westbrook has spawned, through his Foundation, an entire clan of Westbrook kids, as they are informally and affectionately known at the Club. Quite a few have garnered significant fencing accomplishments. In addition to the generational distribution, there is the sibling dimension. This is the huge realm of brothers and sisters who are members of the Fencers Club. The Club’s roster also shows that in recent year, there were over 150 entries out of over 500 sharing last names ranging from A to Z and residing at the same addresses thus indicating a sibling relationship. In most cases, just two first names share the family name and residential address. In quite a few cases, there are three or four first names sharing the family name and residential address offering a novel approach to sibling rivalry: put a weapon their hand. The Club encourages family membership to maintain a tradition that goes back in time and which provides continuity and cohesion in the fencing community of New York City [and peace at home]. Jean-Marc R. Oppenheim
The Melcher family
Chairman’s Message
From the Executive Director
Dear Members & Friends,
Dear Fencers Club Members & Friends, It is with great gratitude and honor to be guiding our Fencers Club. We are not just any fencing club--the FC is steeped in fencing tradition and brings together the best in fencing, as a non-profit organization, where we continue to maintain excellence in training and sportsmanship. Fencing brought our family closer together and I credit my children’s passion for the sport due to our superb coaches and the inclusive FC community. As our Executive Director and tireless leader, Liz Cross, reports our members are doing phenomenally well around the globe. I would like to thank our athletes collectively and individually for your achievements and our members for your generous support. The FC has made significant strides in raising the awareness of fencing in public and inner-city schools, developing competitive and need based scholarship funds for our athletes, and assisting with college and school counseling coupled with the Annual College Symposium. Not only do we have a busy and exciting year in prep-aration for the 2012 Olympics, but it is also warming to see so many young fencers representing our Club and continuing our tradition. Thank you, Rex R. K. Chung Chairman Fencers Club
As I look back on this academic and fencing season, the successes our members had are remarkable. Miles ChamleyWatson is currently #2 in the world in men’s foil. Nzingha Prescod won the Junior World Championship in women’s foil in Jordan and finished top 8 in the Seoul Grand Prix world cup in May. Ben Bratton earned three team silver medals in senior men’s epee world cups. Many of our young fencers have received top 8 results in local, regional and national events. Our adult members are continuing to make their marks in senior and veteran fencing while serving as mentors and role models to our younger members. The high school class of 2011 is about to go off to some of the finest universities in the US and abroad, and our college seniors are getting jobs and going off to professional schools. Behind every success story, there is a history of hard work, perseverance and determination. I admire all of you who are setting high goals and are willing to work outside your comfort zone to accomplish them. As a club, we are working hard to cut our deficit and create new programs while making sure our current programs are thriving. We are about to launch our new program, Fencing in the Schools. It is a comprehensive program that teaches fencing in schools while imparting the character building values, discipline and strategic thinking that are integral to the sport. Thank you for being part of our diverse community, and making Fencers Club a wonderful place to come to fence, learn and make life-long friends. Sincerely, Liz Cross
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Fencers Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization striving for excellence in fencing, learning, character and community service.
Some of the colleges our students attend:
BOARD MEMBERS Executive Commitee
2007-2011 Barnard College Boston College
Rex Chung, Chairman
Brandeis University
Julio Mazzoli, President
Brown University
Erinn Smart, Vice-President
Columbia University
Michael Nissan, Secretary
Cornell University Drew University
Eric Pho, Treasurer
Duke University
Anne Mathews
Emerson College Harvard University Haverford College New York University
BOARD MEMBERS
Northwestern University
Ben Bratton
Oxford University Penn State University
Peter Ganzenmuller
Princeton University
Simon Gershon (coach rep)
St. John’s University
Alan Getz
University of Edinburgh
Liz Luckett
University of Pennsylvania
Susan Mendelsohn
Yale University
Jean-Marc Oppenheim Paul Oratofsky Kathleen Reckling Peter Westbrook Julia Whitehead
FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE COMPETITIVE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE
Our Silver Medalists in the 2008 Beijing Games
Erinn Smart: Barnard College Emily Cross: Harvard University Keeth Smart: St. John’s University & MBA from Columbia University Business School
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FENCERS CLUB
CLASS OF 2011
SARAH ALKILANY Stuyvesant High School Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seoung Woo Lee
I fence because nothing else has ever made me feel more skillful. I can be creative and express my own personality on the strip. Fencing has also encouraged me to be more confident and persistent, exploring different options and finding what works for me. When I fence, I feel like I am finally using the full potential of both my physical and mental self.
ANDREW ARK Ridge High School New York University Coach: Simon Gershon
I chose New York University for its prestige, location and great educational value. Also, I will be able to train at Fencers Club and continue to improve as a fencer. I would thank my parents for their support, and Simon for giving me the solid foundation and the competitive edge to compete for my college. like I am finally using the full potential of both my physical and mental self.
KHELSI CLARKE
NAZAHAH BOOTH University Neighborhood High School City College of New York Ahki Spencer-el
I would like to thank my father for keeping me focused, Akhnaten Spencer-el for being a great coach, and also Peter Westbrook for introducing me to fencing.
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Hackley School Cornell University I like the fencers at the Fencers Club for their willingness fence other people who are not on the same skill level as they are; acting as teachers to those who are less experienced fencers.
FENCERS CLUB
CLASS OF 2011
ARIANA LEWKOWITZSHPUNTOFF
Great Neck South, York Prep Berklee College of Music Kornel Udvarhelyi At Berklee College of music I will be studying to be a music therapist. I will be able to help many people with the gift of music in hospitals, nursing homes and in private institutions. I would like to bring music therapy to cancer patients and Autistic children. I will help them to cope with stress and pain through the beauty of music.
HAILEY HUDDLESTON The Nightingale-Bamford School Brown University Kornel Udvarhelyi
I loved the coaches at the FC, the people, the atmosphere, everything really. I had such a positive experience and all the fencers and coaches are there to do their best and have fun, which at the end of the day is what’s most important. I made three of my really good friends at the FC. What a journey it has been!
LENA JOSEPHS Bard High School Early College Taking gap year to train in Italy Mikhail Petin
QUINN McCANN Columbia High School Ohio State University Ahki Spencer-El
My inspiration was my high school coaches. Out of all of the coaches, the biggest was Ibtihaj Muhammad; her passion for the sport, intensity and focus, kept me going when I was doubted myself. I am ready to take on the next phase—NCAA here I come!
I am an A student and I was co-President of the Junior Board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in the NYC chapter. I started a program called the Young Volunteers Program for high school students interested in the LLS events. I also interned at a Chagas disease research laboratory at Albert Einstein. I particularly enjoyed working as a journalist for a student-run online newspaper.
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FENCERS CLUB
CLASS OF 2011
ANDREI TAPAI CHELSEA MARTINEZ The Academy of the Holy Angels Ohio State University Ahki Spencer-el
Stuyvesant High School Columbia University Kornel Udvarhelyi
I chose Columbia University because of its excellent academics and competitive fencing team and also for its location in New York City. This will allow me to remain at the Fencers Club and continue training.
I would like thank my parents for their unconditional support, toughlove and life lessons. Thank you Ahki for helping me grow stronger as a fencer and as a person. I would also like to thank Ivan Lee for his enthusiastic encouragement.
KHRISTOPHER
W H I T E St. Benedict’s Prep Sacred Heart University Seoung woo Lee
ISIS WASHINGTON
The Academy for Law and Public Safety at Butler High School St. John’s University Seoung Woo Lee I would like to thank my Mom and Dad because without them I would not be able to fence at all. I would also like to thank my sister. I would like to thank Peter Westbrook for all of his help and support; as well as Liz Cross for all of her help and support and for listening to my complaints. Thanks all of my friends and extended family at the FC. Special Thanks to Dwight Smith for having my back, Adam Rodney for believing in the impossible, Donovan Holtz for all of your help, Ibtihaj Muhammad for being amazing, and Ben Bratton for being a great role model. Also thank you to Seoung Woo Lee, my coach, for keeping me focused.
Fencing at the Fencers Club is great. Even though there are a lot of members, almost everyone knows who you are. The coaches are aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and help me be a stronger fencer. And, all my friends are always on my case to help me get better. Thank you to everyone!
FENCERS CLUB
CLASS OF 2011
ISOBEL WILLIAMS Archbishop Molloy High School Brandeis University/Durham University
I started fencing because I hated running up and down fields. Now, I fence because I love the movements, the subtlety and smallness of everything, culminating into a strong attack. When I fence, I feel this strange sort of intimacy with my opponent. The feeling of self-satisfaction that comes when the hard work has paid off can’t be matched.
BEN LOFT Ridge High School Sacred Heart University Ahki Spencer- El
IDRIS MITCHELL St. Benedict’s Prep Rutgers University- Newark Ahki- Spencer El
BRANDON HUBBARD Hackettstown High School St John’s University Ahki Spencer-El
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FENCERS CLUB
CLASS OF 2011
ADAM OMAR
The Bronx High School of Science Northwestern University Seoung Woo Lee I would like to thank my Parents, Maha and Sharif, my siblings, Somer, Josef and Zac, and my coach, Seoung Woo Lee. I would also like to thank my club mates Dwight, Donovan, Ben, Adam, Ayyub, Curtis, Isis, and Khris for being great fencing partners. In addition I would like to thank Liz Cross for her support. I will miss those late Friday night pratices.
CHRISTINE JIANG Hunter College High School University of California Berkeley
JONATHAN LEE Dwight School Stanford University Simon Gershon
I enjoy fencing at the Fencers Club because of the great coaches and other fencers. I made many close friends at the FC. I like working closely with Simon and all those long Saturday practice sessions. Being with my friends is really great. I will miss everyone as I head out to California.
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FENCERS CLUB ALUMNI
2001 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003
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Donovan Holtz Michael Aboodi Dmitri Apostal Ben Bratton Sam Cross Maria Fendorak Jessica Florendo Sloane Grogan Jason Kim Ian Lindblom Sarah Loh Cassidy Luitjen Alisa Mendelsohn Tierney Model Ibtihaj Muhammed Arielle Nagler Tamara Najm Jarrod Perry Kathleen Reckling Rachel Rowe Anna Schon Katelyn Sherry Andrew Sofer
Rutgers University Yale University New York University St. John’s University Harvard University St. John’s University Northwestern University University of Edinburgh Boston College Harvard University Columbia University Columbia University Yale University Emerson College Duke University Harvard University Penn State University Columbia University Columbia University Columbia University Columbia University University of Pennsylvania Brandeis University
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004
Maxine Stachel Emi Suzuki Mai Vu Christine Zuzek Meredith Bratton Emily Cross Alexander Diacou Jessica Dobbins Victoria Gora Alex Kao Steven Kovacs Eugenia Lee Jeffrey Lee Ben Lombardo Magda Losonczy Morgan Midgeley Samantha Parker Teddy Sherrill Eugene Vortsman Jonathan Wai Erica Waichman Chenzi Zhang Matt Zich
Columbia University Stanford University Northwestern University Harvard University Temple University Harvard University Columbia University Yale University Brown University New York University New York University New York University New York University New York University Columbia University Columbia University Columbia University Harvard University Brandeis University Brandeis University Cornell University St. John’s University Penn State University
ALUMNI 2011 FENCERS CLUB
2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005
Alex Bachman Sean Bani Nicholas Bender Stephanie Butnick Claudine Castano Lowden Charles Tobias Cohen Noel Cropper Scott Di Guilio David Ferguson Kelsey Finkel Grace Fried Nina Gernes Samantha Giordano Jesse Hancock Ben Hochberg Rachel Kantor Daniel Lanzara Hannah Pavlovich Dwight Smith Lisa Vastola Sam Wright
Johns Hopkins University Duke University Brown University Duke University Allegheny College Stevens Institute of Technology Brown University Binghamton University Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Columbia University Johns Hopkins University Temple University Barnard College Duke University Stevens Institute of Technology Columbia University Brandeis University Princeton University Columbia University Harvard University Boston University
2006 2006 2006 2006 2006
Jarred Hammond Sam Roukas Dan Bak Alexandra Huber Bagley Wright
New York University New York University Penn State University Columbia University Drew University
2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007
Raymond Blankenhorn Abby Caparros-Jantos Allison Putterman Adrienne Katz Carrington Harris Nathaniel Botwinick Ariel Pensler Tess Finkel Zoe Baumgardner Oung Jo Yuh Nicole Ross Nate Sulat
Oxford University Barnard College Duke University Brandeis University New York University Yale University Harvard University Columbia University New York University New York University Columbia University Princeton University
2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008
Olivia Benedek Jillian Bratton Alanna Dunn Carl Goldfarb Rebecca Hirschfeld William Moore Andrew Pintea Katharine Pitt Abigail Denburg Samir Short Christopher Byrne Margaret Clinton
Penn State University Temple University St. John’s University Brandeis University Cornell University Georgetown University Brown University Yale University University of Pennsylvania Rutgers University Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology
2008 2008 2008 2008 2008
Torre DiCiccio Lindsay Dow Alfred Rizzo Salim Short Sarah Siu
Oxford University Yale University New York University Rutgers University Penn State University
2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009
Adrian Bak Essane Diedro Loweye Diedro D’Meca Homer Steven Jow Jake Kuhn Brianna Martin Andy Moore Fruzsina Palinkas Masha Stoyanovsky Alexander Vastola
Penn State University Columbia University Columbia University Barnard College University of Pennsylvania Duke University Princeton University Haverford University St. John’s University St. John’s University Vassar College
2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
Epiphany Georges Erika McKee Kylei McGill Nzingha Prescod Pearson Miller Jennifer Lee Kelsey Jonat Harrison Fox Elizabeth Rosen Ashley Lerman Sienna Batzli Gaby Stern Max Blitzer Matthew Budofsky Julia Chen Meaghan Conway Bolivar Charles Kendall Harmeyer Gianni Di Cioccio Jessica Kang Eve Levin Granit Mavraj Christine McIntosh Faizah Muhammad Michael Mills Alex Pensler Kathleen Rand Kay Schaffer Julian Taffel Elliot Tusk Hyun-Kyung Yuh James Young Chrsitian Vastola
Temple University Penn State University Penn State University Columbia University Yale University Cornell University University of Vermont New York University MIT New York University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Dartmouth College St. Johns University Duke University Columbia University Stanford University Columbia University Boston College Penn State University Duke University Princeton University Emory College Cornell University NJIT University of Pennsylvania Columbia University Johns Hopkins University Bard College University of the Arts London University of Pennsylvania Princeton University Stony Brook NYU
FENCERS CLUB OLYMPIANS
The USA Fencing Team at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
1904
Charles Tatham earned 2 silver medals and one bronze medal at the 1904 St Louis Olympic Games. Tatham was the Secretary of the AFLA for 30 years. Albertson Van Zo Post won a gold medal in the now obsolete single sticks competition at the St. Louis Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the foil and a bronze in the saber. Van Zo Post also competed in all three standard weapons at the 1912 Olympics. He was one of a handful of fencers to win national championships in all three weapons. He was national foil champion in 1895, epee champion in 1896, and saber champion from 1901 through 1903. Charles Fitzhugh Townsend won a silver medal in the team foil competition and placed fifth In the individual épée event in the 1904 St Louis Olympics. A graduate of Columbia University, he became a professor of electrical engineering there. William Scott O’Connor was a 1904 Olympian and individual silver medalist. Co-Founder of the Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA), he served as its secretary from its inception until 1925.
1920
Leon Schoonmaker was the US men’s fencing champion at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games. Arthur St. Clair Lyon was a legendary fencer of his era who was a two-time U.S. men’s saber champion and a member of 3 US Olympic teams (1920, 1924, and 1928). He won a bronze medal in men’s foil team at the 1920 Games in Antwerp. Lyon is the only American fencer to win a U.S. national team title in all 4 possible team events in US fencing history including: men’s foil team, men’s epee team, men’s saber team, men’s 3-weapon team
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1952 James Strauch competed in the team event at the 1952 Summer Olympics. Alfred Skrobisch competed in the individual and team épée events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. 1960 Albert Axelrod won a member of the 1952, 1956, 1960 winning foil individual bronze, 1964, and 1968 US Olympic teams. He was national foil champion in 1955, 1958, 1960, and 1970 and was a medalist eight times. While an undergraduate at CCNY, he was IFA and NCAA foil in 1948. Henry Kolowrat competed in the team event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Eugene Glazer competed at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics on the men’s team and in individual foil. Albert Axelrod
1972 James Melcher competed in the individual epee and team events at the 1972 Summer Olympics. From 1974-1983, he was a member of the USOC Investment Committee. He has been a member of the board at the Fencers Club for almost 20 years. For over 30 years, Jamie contributed his time and knowledge, and provided a significant financial support to the Fencers Club. Ruth White competed in the women’s individual and team foil events at the 1972 Summer Olympics. She was the youngest and first African-American woman to win national championships. John Nonna was a member of the 1972, 1976, and 1980 US Olympic teams. 1976 Peter Westbrook was national saber fencing champion over a dozen years, a six-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist (1984 individual). He is the founder of the Peter Westbrook Foundation and a board member at the Fencers Club.
James Melcher
Steve Kaplan was a member of the 1976 US Olympic team in Montreal. In 1975, he won a silver medal in the Pan-American Games and was a four-time U.S. national team champion and individual finalist. While a student at NYU, he was an NCAA All-American. Later, he coached the NYU varsity team from1980 through 1986. Peter Westbrook
1984 Peter Lewison was on two US Olympic teams: Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988). He was a 1981 NCAA 1st Team All-American. In 1984, he won the USFA North American Circuit Championship and, in 1989, he was the USFA National Foil Champion and named the USOC Fencing Athlete of the Year Mika’il Sankofa, born Michael Lofton, was a member of US Olympic teams in 1984, 1988 and 1992. He captured US national sabre championships in1991 and 1992 and took part in the Pan-American Games as member of sabre silver team in 1987 and 1991. Sankofa was a ten-time National Team Sabre Champion between 1984 and 1995. He was also a four-time NCAA champion at New York University, capturing the sabre title in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. He is the only male fencer to ever win four NCAA individual championships. Peter Lewison
Steve Mormando was an Olympian in 1984, 1988, and 1992. In 1992, as the team’s top sabre fencer, he was elected co-captain of the U.S. Fencing contingent. He won the individual sabre competition at the 1991 Pan American Games. In 2005, Mormando won the bronze medal at the Veterans Over-50 World Championships in Tampa, Florida. He won the gold medal at the 1998 Nike World Masters’ Games in Portland, Oregon, defeating 1980 Olympic gold medalist Nikolai Alekhine of Belarus. He is the current head fencing coach at New York University. Sharon Monplaisir was a three-time Olympian, (1984, 1988, and 1992) a two-time gold medalist in the Pan-American Games and national foil champion. As a member of the Hunter College fencing team, Monplaisir was a NCAA All-American selection in 1987, 1986, 1985 and 1983. Joel Glucksman, a saber fencer, was a member of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Mike McCahey was a member of the 1984 Olympic team. He holds 8 US national championship team gold medals and was the 1984 Individual US national champion in men’s foil. Sharon Monplaisir
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2000 Akhenaten Spencer-el a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team was also on four senior world championship teams. He is a 2009 graduate of Budapest’s Semmelweis University earning a fencing Maestro’s degree and is currently a saber coach at the Fencers Club. A member of the Peter Westbrook Foundation since the age of 13, he has been an assistant coach at the Foundation since 1996. He is a three-time US junior national sabre champion, a two-time senior national sabre champion (1999 and 2000), and in 1998 was ranked as the No. 1 junior sabre fencer in the world and recognized as the USFA’s 1998 Fencer of the Year. Keeth Smart has competed in three Olympic Games. In the individual men’s sabre competition, he placed 30th in the 2000 Olympic Games, 15th in the individual and 4th in the team event in 2004, 6th in the individual and won the team silver medal in 2008. He was a member of the 1999 Pan-American Games bronze medal team. He won the NCAA sabre championships in 1997 and 1999. In 2002 and 2004, Smart won the US national sabre championship. In 2003, he became the first American to be ranked #1 in the world. Keeth started fencing with the Peter Westbrook Foundation.
Akhi Spencer-El
2004 Ivan Lee was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens placing 12th in the individual competition and 4th in the team competition. He was a member of the 2001 US junior world sabre team, anchoring the team to its first men’s world title at the 2001 junior world championships in Gdansk, Poland. He was the men’s national saber champion in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and NCAA champion in 2001 and 2002. Kamara James was a member of the U.S. Olympic team for the Summer Games of 2004 in Athens. She was the junior world women epee champion and was a junior and senior national team member in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She started fencing with the Peter Westbrook Foundation. Erinn Smart was a member of the US silver-winning fencing team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and a member of the American team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens competing in the women’s individual and team foil events. Smart is a four-time national champion and was an NCAA All-American while at Columbia University. She was ranked 11th at the 2003 World Championships. Erin Smart took up fencing with the Peter Westbrook Foundation.
PWF fencers at the 2004 Athens Games: Keeth and Erinn Smart, Ivan Lee and Kamara James.
Jed Dupree was a member of the 2004 Athens Olympic fencing team competing in both the individual and team foil events. As a member of Team USA, Dupree helped the team achieve a fourth place finish. The year prior, Dupree won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games in in the team foil event. Dupree is currently a head coach at Empire United Fencing in New York City. Dan Kellner competed in the foil events at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, earning a fourth place finish with his teammates Jed Dupree and Jon Tiomkin. Kellner also made the table of 16 in the individual men’s foil event. Additionally, Kellner won two gold medals in individual and team foil events at the 2003 Pan American Games. Now Kellner owns and coaches at the Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club. Jon Tiomkin was a member of the 2004 Athens Olympic fencing team and earned a fourth place finish in men’s team foil alongside his teammates Jed Dupree and Dan Kellner. In 2003, he won the team gold and an individual silver medal in the men’s foil events at the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic. Tiomkin now owns and coaches at his own club, Five Towns Fencers Club. Jon Tiomkin leaping for the touch at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
2008 Emily Cross was a member of the Beijing 2008 Olympics U.S. silver-winning women’s foil team. At the age of 13, she represented the US at the 2000 Cadet & Junior World Championships and won team bronze medal. At the age of 14, Emily was on the US Cadet, Junior and Senior teams. In 2003, she won the Cadet World Championship. In 2005 and 2006, as a student at Harvard, she won her second and third Junior World Championships.
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2008 Beijing Silver Medalists: Erinn Smart, Hannah Thompson and Emily Cross.
Special thanks to: Andy Shaw for providing the bulk of the material, Isis Washington for researching and compiling, and Jean-Marc Oppenheim for editing. If we left anyone out or made mistakes, please let us know. We will make the corrections on our online version.
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FENCERS CLUB PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Fencers Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in fencing, learning, and character development. We actively support a culture of sharing by performing community services that extend beyond fencing.
The following are some of the programs that are in place: Annual College Symposium with Head Coaches from Columbia, Harvard, NYU, Princeton and University of Pennsylvania College and other school counseling and recommendations Competitive and need-based scholarships Weekly Summer Day Camp and Berkshires Training Camp Training opportunities abroad Fencing in the Schools: A comprehensive curriculum that partners with schools to implement onsite fencing sessions to facilitate students’ physical, intellectual and emotional growth, especially during the highly formative years. Volunteer opportunities Fencers Club Pro Shop – all profits go to the Fencers Club Scholarship Funds Tutoring services
Our Community Outreach Fencing Programs: The Children’s Storefront School Mott Hall II Lower Manhattan Community Middle School Fort Hamilton Child & Youth Services Brooklyn Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders, Public School Athletic League Training Program Summer Day Camp with 75% financial aid Groundwork Youth Services
In-Kind Donations: The Action Center, Brooklyn Children’s Sports Center, The Children’s Storefront, City and Country, Go Project, Grace Church School, Hunter College Elementary School, Geneva School Little Baby Face Foundation, Peter Westbrook Foundation and Trevor Day School. In 2010, we gave more than $125,000 in monetary support and in-kind donations.
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THE PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION
Dear Members & Friends, The Fencers Club and the Peter Westbrook Foundation (PWF) have been my second home and family for over twenty years. My brother, Keeth Smart, and I were among the first students to enroll in the PWF in 1991. In our early years, we enjoyed participating in the Saturday program and learning the introductory levels of the sport of fencing. At this time, the Fencers Club also initiated its own youth development program, so we were able to benefit from both programs. From a young age at the Fencers Club, I have had the opportunity to train with world-class coaches, elite athletes, Olympians and National Champions. I have benefitted tremendously as an athlete and most importantly as an individual. My family was embraced by the Fencers Club community, which allowed me to be exposed to a diverse group of individuals. In the summer of 2008, both my brother and I achieved lifetime goals of winning Olympic Silver medals with our Men’s Saber and Women’s Foil teams, respectively. We could have never achieved this without the members of the PWF and the Fencers Club. The support that we received over the years is irreplaceable. We hope the young athletes that follow in our footsteps will appreciate the community that surrounds and supports them. Over the next two years, I will be living in Philadelphia and pursuing an MBA at The Wharton School. I look forward to my trips back to NYC, so I can continue to see the growth and success of the Fencers Club and PWF. Best regards, Erinn Smart
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ANNUAL SUMMER DAY CAMP 2011 FENCERS CLUB
2011 SUMMER DAY CAMP
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BERKSHIRES TRAINING CAMP 2011 FENCERS CLUB
BERKSHIRES TRAINING CAMP
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FENCING ACHIEVEMENTS 2011 FENCERS CLUB
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2011 FENCERS CLUB AWARDS REX & JEENA CHUNG AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FENCING ACHIEVEMENT This award is presented to the member who has exhibited fencing excellence and superiority in their performance on the strip. Apanel of coaches and fencers has selected the following fencers for this prestigious award:
MILES CHAMLEY-WATSON Achievements: #2 in the world in men’s foil Coach: Simon Gershon
NZINGHA PRESCOD Achievements: 2011 Junior World Champion and top 8 in Seoul Grand Prix Coach: Buckie Leach
FENCERS CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD This award honors two members each year who make “significant and sustained volunteer contributions” to benefit the club and its members.
ISIS WASHINGTON For her generous commitment of time, support & inspiration to the Fencers Club. Isis volunteers many hours at the FC. She is always responsible and takes her tasks seriously. Isis is a role model and a beacon of responsibility. Coach: Seoung Woo Lee
BRENDAN MEYERS For his commitment to coaching and mentoring younger fencers at the club and during competitions Coach: Mikhail Petin
RAFAEL MARTINEZ For his commitment of time and resources to help the Fencers Club achieve its goals. Raphael has provided many valuable services, including the publication of this book. Without Rafael and his graphic artist, Pablo Aguilar, this beautiful book would have been impossible to produce.
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AWARDS 2011 FENCE CLUB
FENCERS CLUB PRO-SHOP AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED FENCER
GOULD-HIRSCHFELD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
This award is presented to the fencer who has made dramatic strides in fencing by having a keen understanding of the game and effectively utilizing the practice time.
This award is presented to the fencer who has exhibited a strong understanding and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and above all, uncompromising integrity on and off the strip.
KAILA BUDOFSKY
JAMES MELCHER
Achievements:
For consistently demonstrating the values of caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility on and off the fencing strip.
For her outstanding results at the Junior Olympics and consistent strong finish in major competitions. Coach: Mikhail Petin
KATHERINE MILLER AND CHARLOTTE SANDS
LUTHER CLEMENT Achievements: Achievements: Finished top 8 in Atlanta NAC and silver medal in Dallas Coach: Akhi Spencer-El
They have consistently demonstrated the values of hard work and are always willing to help younger fencers. Both Katherine and Charlotte are responsible and thoughtful, and they are outstanding role models for our younger fencers. Coaches: Kornel Udvarhelyi, and Simon and Irene Gershon
2011 FENCERS CLUB MVP AWARD The Most Valuable Player Award is presented to a member who is valuable to the club as an athlete, donor, or organizer, and someone who has become an indispensable contributor to the Fencers Club community.
ALAN HIRSCHFELD AND BARBARA GOULD
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STAFF 2011 FENCERS CLUB
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AROUND THE CLUB
AROUND THE CLUB 2011 FENCERS CLUB
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AROUND THE CLUB 2011 FENCERS CLUB
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DONORS 2010- 2011 1883 SOCIETY $50,000 AND UP Anonymous The Dow Family Charitable Fund
BENEFACTORS $25,000 to $49,999 Rex and Jeena Chung
PATRONS $10,000 to $24,999 Bing and Migs Wright
GOLD MEMBERS $5,000 to $9,999 Anne Mathews and Robert Nunziato Barbara Gould and Dr. Alan Hirschefeld Michael Nissan
SILVER MEMBERS $2,500 to $4,999 Absolute Fencing Gear Liz and Fred Cross Michael Kirch
BRONZE MEMBERS $1,000 to $2,499 The Wolfensohn Foundation Francine and Malcolm Moore Michelle Ores and Charles Schorin Annik and Michael Wolf Steven Lim Miyoung Lee Mr. and Mrs. Shin Margery Feldberg Bridget Noh Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh Dr. and Mrs. Jay Pensler Mr. and Mrs. Yuh Alan Getz & Barbara Osborne Drs. Susan and Steve Mendelsohn Mr. and Mrs. Conway Marta Williams Michael Rust
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DONORS 2010- 2011 FRIENDS Fern and Dirk Charles Charles Coutinho Jacob and Angela Buchdahl Lisa Piazza Drs. Kim and Brian Landzberg Priscilla and Jeffrey Ahn Farman-Farmaian Diane Reckling Roger Pierro Julie Farr Erinn Smart Omar Family Emily Cross Eric Gilioli Paul Oratofsky Eric Rosenberg Marcel Miernik Dana and Latanya Washington James and Debra Huddleston Mikhail Petin Margaret Fagan Mr. and Mrs. Hall Joanne Stevens Stephen Sobel Linda Reals Adam Rodney Michael Rust Susan Kutnzer Kumsuk Kim
SPONSORS The Martinez Family Sarah Ortiz Margery Feldberg Steve Mormondo Szechuan Kitchen Despana The Color of Magic Anne Mathews Mr. Marotta Emily Cross Liz Luckett Michelle Ores Erinn Smart/Keeth Smart
Erin Smart, PWF/FC
Hanna Thompson
Emily Cross, FC
WE HAVE BEEN PRODUCING GENERATIONS OF OLYMPIANS AND WORLD AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS FOR OVER 125 Keeth Smart, PWF/FC
James Williams
Tim Morehouse
Jason Rogers
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ISOBEL WILLIAMS
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YOUR PAGES 2011 FENCERS CLUB
MYLES WOLF
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YOUR PAGES 2011 FENCER CLUB
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YOUR PAGES 2011 FENCERS CLUB
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MARC SCHORIN
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FENCERS CLUB