FENN Magazine: Passing the Baton / Farewells in Athletics and the Arts

Passing the Baton: Farewells in Athletics and the Arts

Dear Fenn Community,

Last spring, we ushered into well-earned retirements two passionate educators and special personalities among our Fenn community. In this issue of FENN magazine, we celebrate the broad influenceand lasting impact of Bob Starensier and Rob Morrison across their respective 41 and 23 years serving Fenn. Thankyou to the community members who joined us for retirement festivities to applaud their contributions and mark these meaningful milestones.

Across this issue, we segue from retirement tributes to an introduction of the newest faculty, staff,and trustees who will help to steer and shape the Fenn experience of our current students and families and those we will welcome to Monument Street in coming years. Theirenergy, boundless ideas and creativity, and commitment to Fenn were noteworthy from the start. You will see sure evidence of their contributions across pages of this issue that highlight the array of activities that our community enjoyed this fall and winter.

Among them were Reunion and Homecoming events that inspired the return of generations of treasured alumni and alumni families, including Fenn’s 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Tony Howland ’68. We are always thrilled when we can reconnect, reminisce, and learn more about the lives that have unfolded since our once-Fenn boys moved on from their years at our beloved school.

A particularly memorable moment during the afternoonof Homecoming Day featured the musical contributions of Fenn alumnus and rising country music star Chris Ruediger ’14 and long-tenured Fenn faculty member John Fitzsimmons. Turn to page 40 for a special photo celebrating a Fenn moment that I won’t soon forget.

Music was an equal delight for our admired former Arts Department Chair, music teacher, and fearless leader of the Treble Chorus, Mike Salvatore, who we sadly lost to a lengthy cancer battle in February. As we close the magazine on page 64, we pay tribute to the various community members we lost over recent months and certainly to the contagious spirit, passion, and legacy that Mike leftbehind. A more extensive tribute to Mike will follow in the summer issue of FENN magazine, and we welcome receiving your special memories of him as we prepare it.

TheFenn community is blessed by the faculty and staffwho give so much of themselves in service to our Fenn boys and to the spirit of Sua Sponte and our shared values of honesty, respect, empathy, and courage. Mike, Bob, and Rob—all three—embraced Fenn life wholeheartedly, and what a blessing they each were to the community as they shared their Fenn journeys with us.

Sincerely,

Derek R. Boonisar Head of School

Dominic Dipersia

Jennifer Everett

Rebecca Lombardo

Alan O’Neill ’98

Erica Silverman

Guiding Star

A “true architect and preservationist” of Fenn’s “Special Sauce,” Bob Starensier retires after four decades

BY LAURIE O’NEILL

“One of the most impactful gestures he ever made was to address us as ‘gentlemen’ every time he spoke to us at All School Meeting. For a nine-year-old attending an all-boys school where everyone else referred to us as ‘boys,’ this sign of respect and high expectations helped us to learn and embody the true spirit of Sua Sponte.”

“He helped build my confidence and self-esteem and with his support I felt I could accomplish anything. He modeled for me the freedom and power of being yourself in any moment.”

“Little did I know then how exactly his influence and guidance would shape who I am today, and for that I am forever grateful.”

THESE ARE THE WORDS of Aaron Colby ’02, David Cohen ’89, and Cato Anderson ’91, respectively, as they talked about “Star,” which is what they and countless Fenn boys called—and still call—Robert W. Starensier.

Bob retired in June afterforty-one years at the School. He served as athletic director for thirty-nine years and as a teacher, coach, advisor, chair of the Student Life Department, and tireless cheerleader for Fenn since 1982.

“Bob never let us forget that what we should always be thinking about is ‘what’s best for the boys’.”

Offeringan ear and a word of encouragement seem to have been Bob’s greatest giftsto the boys he worked with.

At Bob’s retirement celebration last spring, members of the Fenn community expressed their fondness and appreciation for Bob, both in person and in videotaped testimonials in which they directly addressed him.

On a large screen, videos played of alumni and current students and families.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today and who I am today without your influence.I’m so grateful,” said Tom Anderson ’94.

“You meant so, so much to me, Star,” said Matt Kilfoyle ’01. “I remember once

– Derek Boonisar, Head of School

having a very tough time and you called the house to check in on me. It was the most meaningful phone call I’ve ever received.”

Former faculty member Curtis Singmaster ’94 said, “Theway you have modeled kindness, consistency, and compassion made a huge impact on me as an educator, as a husband, and as a father.” Bob taught John Ferrin ’17 “a lesson I didn’t realize the significanceof back then. It was to take one day at a time and take it slowly. And as I get older, that lesson has become more powerful.”

To David Garofolo ’93, Bob “made me feel like I had something to offer

something to give, and it stayed with me. It was only years later that I realized you’ve probably made hundreds, maybe thousands, of boys feel the same way.”

And John Boger ’94, told Bob, “You’re a huge reason I am who I am as a teacher, father, and human being.”

Head of School Derek Boonisar told the crowd at the gathering, “Fenn is a place that puts a premium on kindness and motivation and the core values of honesty, respect, empathy, and courage. Bob is synonymous with all of that. He is a true architect and preservationist of Fenn’s special culture, part of what we call its ‘special sauce.’ He changed lives.”

Derek added that Bob “never let us forget that what we should always be thinking about is ‘what’s best for the boys’.”

Numerous other admirers conveyed their thoughts about Bob in the months around his retirement. “He was central to my Fenn experience from the moment I set foot on campus as a new sixth grader,” said Tom Hudner ’87. Bob “was in his early twenties, younger than my brother,” noted Tom, “but with that relative youth came a great deal of energy and a sense of humor that has not changed in forty years.”

Aaron Joncas ’91, father of Jalen ’10, said Bob was “kind, generous, and supportive throughout my formative years and remains so today.” Aaron worked as a camp counselor for Star Camps, the sports day camp that Bob founded in Concord more than forty years ago, and assisted in Fenn admissions. Later he and Bob became contemporaries when Aaron was named athletic director at ConcordCarlisle High School.

“His example taught me to be patient and loving as a father, thoughtful and caring as a friend, and loyal and dependable as a coach and school administrator,” said Aaron.

Max Yerid ’23, who graduated last year, described Bob as “awfully approachable, nice, and serious when he had to be. He’s someone you could talk to.” Max recalled an incident that he said had stuck with him. One rainy day he was walking by Bob’s officand asked him, “Can I borrow an umbrella?” Bob handed one to Max and declared, “Thetrain only keeps going if all of the passengers are happy!”

Nat Carr ’97, assistant head of school and head of the Lower School, and the current director of Star Camps, vividly recalled the firsttime he met Bob. Nat

was in Kathy Starensier’s fourth grade class in the opening days of school when “this really loud person came barging into our room yelling ‘Honey! Honey!’” said Nat. Bob would greet Kathy, his wife, and then turn his attention to the wide-eyed nine-year-olds at their desks.

“Do you know who I am?” he would demand of the boys in his sonorous voice. “At firstI was intimidated,” said Nat, “but then I realized it would be kind of neat to get to know this huge, larger-than-life personality.”

Nat soon learned that Bob “cared deeply about each one of us. And he could read us,” he said. “Therewere times when I was having a bad day and wasn’t feeling like myself, and he was the one who would come over and check in with a ‘How’s it going? You having a rough day?’”

For the rest of Nat’s Fenn schooling, through secondary school and college, and when he was back on campus as Bob’s colleague, Nat would still turn to Bob for advice and encouragement. “If something big was going on in my life, something challenging or exciting, I knew if I needed to talk to someone, I needed to talk to Star,” he said.

Bob attended the University of Vermont, where he earned a B.A. in political science and government. He later received an M.A. in counselor education/ school counseling and guidance services from Fitchburg State University.

“Few educators have as great a reservoir of enthusiasm, optimism, and hutzpah as Bob … Bob was always, unfailingly, in it for keeps.”

– Headmaster Emeritus Jerry Ward

Jumping right into Fenn life the day he arrived on campus to interview for a social studies teaching position, “I was twenty-three and had a full head of hair and 20-20 vision,” Bob said. Walter Birge, Fenn headmaster at the time, said that he has always called Star “Bobby” because “that name seemed perfect. Bobby is always a child at heart, and I admire him for never losing that.”

Walter recalled the day he interviewed Bob and told him that the job opening involved coaching. “Thatmade his eyes light up,” Walter said. Later that

day, Walter was out on the fieldcoaching Middle School baseball, and it was going to be a particularly intense game. What’s more, they were missing an officia Bob had wandered down to the fiel and was looking on. “Would you like to ump?” Walter asked him. “In about thirty seconds Bob’s jacket and tie were off, Walter said, “his sleeves were rolled up, and he called his firststrike.” Bob went on to coach with Walter for years. Headmaster Emeritus Jerry Ward said that “few educators have as great a reservoir of enthusiasm, optimism, and hutzpah as Bob,” whom he called “the spiritual fiduciary of Fenn.

adding that the latter’s officwas a popular gathering place for colleagues and alumni.

“Theway Bob interacts with the world with such enthusiasm is maybe why kids gravitate towards him,” said Jim Carter ’54. “He still seems like a teenager.” Bob’s excitement about Fenn was always “unrestrained,” Jim added. “He is a master at connecting with kids and touched a lot of lives.”

“Watching Bob coach young men from the sidelines at the Eaglebrook Soccer Tournament, or eavesdropping on his spontaneous counseling to a basketball player who had in the moment lost his mojo, or hearing him speak with passion and absolute conviction about a given issue near and dear to his heart, you could tell that Bob was always, unfailingly, in it for keeps.” Jon Byrd ’76 described his former colleague as “outgoing, social, and open.” Bob loved “pulling people together,” he said,

Bob is thought of primarily as a coach and athletic director, but he is proud of the years he spent teaching social studies and student life. “With student life, it was important to have a class that’s differentthan academics—a safe space for kids to talk about what it’s like to be a kid in our modern life…Theyhave a lot of questions and fears…Theyneed to feel good about who they are as a person.”

Looking for ways to help new Fenn students feel welcome, Bob introduced New Boy lunches in the 1990s and coined the term NANBAM (Not A New Boy Anymore), a phrase printed on T-shirts that he gave to the boys. He also created the Big Brother/Little Brother program. Both are among treasured Fenn traditions.

Thoughathletics can sometimes be at odds with academics, Bob was known to be flexibleand cooperative when it came to assisting his colleagues. Kirsten Gould, former arts department chair and drama director, recalls arriving at Fenn and discovering that Upper School arts classes were routinely being interrupted by students leaving for sports games. If the games required traveling, the boys would

miss their arts classes entirely.

“What could have ended in a log jam between two disciplines,” said Kirsten, “was instead a collaborative solution accommodated by an athletic director who truly valued educating the whole boy.” She and Bob reorganized the schedule so that games were on Wednesdays and Fridays, leaving Monday and Thursdayarts classes intact.

“We made Bob an honorary member of the arts department,” Kirsten said. “He participated in all of the musicals and shows involving the faculty.” Bob even had a cameo in this past December’s faculty version of A Christmas Carol, a much anticipated annual event attended by the whole school on dismissal day for the holiday break.

Bob’s legacy is in part “the sports-

manship principles he instilled in the Fenn athletic program,” said former faculty member Mike Potsaid. “Theyhave to do with practicing hard, giving it your best effort,and having fun. Sure, you want to win, but only in the context of those principles. Woe to the boy who argued or talked back to a ref, ump, or officialsor who booed the opposition.”

Bob taught those lessons with a “hand on the shoulder, while looking the boy in the eye, in a way that made that individual feel special, heard, and appreciated,” Mike said.

Jason Rude, who coached soccer with Bob for thirty years, said “it was so much fun to work with someone who is an absolute master at getting the best out of his team. He really is tremendous at creating a chemistry on teams that make

it so they have fun, they work hard, they dig down and get the most out of themselves as individuals, but also pull together as a team.”

Jason recalls “the number of times the team would go out to Eaglebrook for the annual tournament against the best pre-prep schools in New England, and so many times we would walk away from that tournament either in firstor second place. Other coaches would be shaking their heads as if to say, ‘How did they just do that?’”

Chris Ryan ’10, Fenn’s assistant athletic director, said, “I am incredibly lucky to have Bob in my life. I trust him as a father figureand a friend. He taught thousands of boys the importance of sportsmanship and of respecting the game. Losing with grace and a determination

to do better next time was the lesson he taught.”

Self-effacingwhen describing his athletic skills, Bob said he “was the rare AD who was not a phenomenal athlete.” He illustrated his comment with a story about the time he was attending a New England conference of athletic directors and a speaker asked the attendees to “raise your hand if you played a college sport. Everybody in the room raised their hands but me,” he said.

But Bob always regarded his job as a “vehicle to teach boys about life, teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, and dealing with adversity.” With typical playfulness, he added, “And the F word. By which I mean ‘fun’.”

A larger-than-life presence on campus, Bob was known for his “booming voice, his Croakies and Oakley combo, and the endless cans of Coke that seemed to be an extension of his lefthand,” recalled Drew Coash ’10. “But he was committed to the success of our teams and also to our character offthe field.

ThoughBob will miss his decades as athletic director, “handing over the job I loved” to Ben Smith ’85 “brings great joy to my heart,” he said. “Ben is a magician with kids and Fenn is very lucky to have him.” Bob noted that Ben was on his firs Fenn soccer team some forty years ago as a ninth grader.

Bob is happy now to have more time with his family, as they are to spend more time with him. He is devoted to Kathy, who taught for thirty-three years

in the Lower School, and regards her, said Jason Rude, as “a source of wisdom, calm, and reflection.”Fenn, he added, “was lucky to have them as a duo.”

Bob and Kathy are close to Eric ’85, Christopher ’88, and Joshua ’93 Harnden, Bob’s stepsons, and to their nine grandchildren. Calling Bob “an incredibly sweet and silly grandfather,” Eric, a former Fenn faculty member, said Bob “teaches my kids patience while we wait in the idling car to go skiing.”

When Bob married Kathy, he “jumped into the family from the start and he’s been there ever since,” Eric said. “He wants to hang out with us and to hear what’s going on, and we know he’s there for us. If any of us is in any kind of need, we all know how he would answer: ‘Are you okay? Tell me where you are. I’m on my way’.”

Spencer Harnden ’22, Eric’s son, described his grandfather and former teacher as “very loving and supportive. He would give me a big hug every time he went by me in the halls. His kindness lift

me up and he never fails to make me and my sisters smile.”

Bob will miss his Fenn life, he said, but he hopes his legacy will be not only his passion for sports but also his belief in the importance of financialaid. To that end, he and Kathy went to Derek last spring to say they wanted to start a scholarship fund.

“We wanted to create something that provides an opportunity for all boys,” Bob said, pointing out that his three stepsons

“Bob’s legacy is in part the sportsmanship principles he instilled in the Fenn athletic program … woe to the boy who argued or talked back to a ref, ump, or officials, or who booed the opposition.”

– Former faculty member Mike Potsaid

Bob Starensier

“It just jazzed me up every day for forty-one years, watching these little kids grow up and become young men.” –

attended Fenn and without financia support from the faculty scholarship program, “there’s no way we could have affordedthat.”

TheBob and Kathy Starensier Scholarship Fund honors the couple and their service to Fenn and supports partial financialaid grants for students with demonstrated need whose families need extra help to cover the full cost of tuition.

Early on the parents of an alumnus stepped forward anonymously with a $25,000 matching challenge to encourage alumni support and nearly $195,000 has been raised since, which thrills Bob and Kathy, who hope the fund will continue to increase. “Thisis really important to us,” he said. See the sidebar for more information on the fund.

Meanwhile the Starensiers are enjoying their retirement, spending time at their house in New Hampshire and at their Acton condo. There’s“pickleball and lovely walks and keeping up with our grandchildren,” Kathy said of the couple’s plans.

Thecouple spent a month this past winter in Florida and are “incubating more travel ideas,” Kathy said, which might include a European cruise. “Mostly,” she added, “we’re looking forward to a slower pace and more time together, and we hope to keep in touch with alumni.”

Bob’s connection to Fenn is an

abiding one and his actions since his retirement disprove the notion that “You can’t go home again.” He refereed several Fenn soccer games last fall and has also been officiatinsome winter basketball games. He also attended the Board of Visitors meeting in early November.

A particular thrill for Bob was refereeing non-Fenn teams at the firstannual Star Cup last November. “I was incredibly humbled that they created this soccer tournament in my name,” Bob said. “It was not my idea and really, it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever been given.” What made the day extra special, he said, was that Fenn beat Pike in the final

Reaching for the Stars: Scholarship Fund Approaches $200k

Thank you to the 258 donors who have generously given nearly $195,000 in support of the fund. We invite the community to help us surpass the $200,000 mark to help make a Fenn education possible for even more talented boys.

Through the generosity of alumni, parents, colleagues, family, and friends, the fund was created in 2023 to celebrate Bob and Kathy’s devotion and commitment to Fenn boys. Income from the fund supports partial financial aid grants for students with demonstrated need, whose families need extra help to cover the full tuition.

Give today by using the dedicated QR code, or by contacting Rebecca Lombardo, Director of Advancement, at rlombardo@fenn. org. Thank you!

That“the train only keeps going when the passengers are happy” seems a fittingway to describe Bob’s approach to his years at Fenn. “There’smagic here,” he said to the gathering at his retirement celebration. “And it’s that we care so much about each other.”

Then,looking around at the many alumni who attended the event, he added,

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND STORIES WITH FENN!

“It just jazzed me up every day for forty-one years, watching these little kids grow up and become young men.”

Laurie O’Neill is a freelance writer and former teacher and writer/editor at Fenn. She lives in Concord.

Star is eager to help preserve Fenn history and memories alongside long-time Fenn archivist and former faculty member Jim Carter ’54. If you have memories to share, please send them to alumni@fenn.org or mail them to The Fenn School, 516 Monument Street, Concord, MA 01742.

CELEBRATING A “STAR”

More than 500 Fenn community members and friends gathered last June for a spirited retirement party on campus to celebrate 41 years of “Star” at Fenn and usher him into a relaxing retirement as a dynamic duo with wife Kathy. Copious amounts of memories, photographs, laughter, food, music and dancing made for a fantastic evening that will long be remembered. Remarks from Head of School Derek Boonisar, former Fenn Headmaster Walter Birge, Star’s stepson Eric Harnden ’85, and Fenn Assistant Athletic Director Chris Ryan ’10 celebrated the uniqueness that is “Star” and his wide-ranging impact on generations of students, colleagues, and Fenn families and friends.

Among the gifts given to Star to mark his retirement milestone were the home plate from the Fennway ball field on campus—unearthed, spruced up, and encased for display—and a Fenn diploma declaring him an honorary alumnus. With Star’s passion for the blue-and-gold, there is no more fitting tribute than becoming “officially” united with the Fenn brotherhood.

Best wishes to “Star” and Kathy as they enjoy their next chapter together!

“I’m an incredibly lucky man”

Rob Morrison reflects on his 23-year Fenn career

BY LAURIE O’NEILL

“I WAS MOWING MY FRONT LAWN,” said Rob Morrison of a summer morning more than two decades ago, “when I saw this guy walking past and I recognized him.” The“guy” was Jerry Ward, then Fenn’s headmaster, who was making his way down Monument Street.

Jerry in turn identifiedthe “tall and imposing figure”as a former colleague, and he shouted to Rob over the din of the mower, afterwhich they “delightfully reengaged.” As luck would have it, Rob indicated that he was considering reentering teaching afterspending about ten years working in the family business.

Jerry had come to know Rob as “an inspired and versatile teacher-coach” when they were colleagues at St. Sebastian’s School in the 1980s. Now, with a social studies and English position open at Fenn and athletic coaching roles to be filled,“the match was immediate.” Rob applied for the position “and the rest became Fenn history,” said Jerry.

“I found my way into Fenn and tried to make myself invaluable, or at least useful,” Rob said with his characteristic self-effacinghumor. According to faculty, students, and alumni, he exceeded that goal by a long mile, serving as an English, social studies, and drama teacher, advisor, soccer and tennis coach, coordinator of theatre tech, and co-coordinator of service learning.

“TheSchool was so enriched by his giftsas an educator,” said Jerry. When Rob retired last June aftertwenty-three years at Fenn, he left“a legacy of an infectious and passionate love of school life, a flairfor the dramatic, including all things Shakespearean, and a generous-to-all spirit toward teachers and students,” he added. Rob’s students and colleagues enthusiastically agree.

“He led by example,” said Charlie

Hutchinson ’17, who served as a stage manager under Rob’s tutelage. “He gave everyone room to learn and explore not only technical skills but how to be an impactful leader and a valuable team player. He taught us in a way that gave us freedom to be curious and allowed us all to discover skills and interests we never even knew we had.”

Jon Byrd ’76 said that Rob’s powerful voice “belies a quiet, gentle personality. He would go the extra mile for his students in ways that others may not have thought of. He always listened intently and cared deeply.”

Rob is “not a showman,” offeredJim Carter ’54. “He doesn’t look for a lot of praise. He found his calling with middle school teaching,” Jim added. “He loved it. And he was good at it.”

At a small May gathering on campus of former students, family, and fellow teachers past and present, for which Rob donned an elegant scarlet cloak and feathered hat to illustrate the event’s Shakespearean theme, skits and poems were presented and Head of School Derek Boonisar spoke of Rob’s commitment to his work and to everything else he did at Fenn.

Derek called Rob “a passionate and zestful educator who changed the lives of decades of students.” What’s “more important,” he added, “he is a truly wonderful human being.” Rob is “the consummate team player and school person,” who “quietly rolls up his sleeves and gets the job done. He doesn’t want accolades.”

Rob served as a mentor to young teachers who were trying to decide if they wanted to pursue education as a career.

“When I started working at Fenn,” said Dave Irwin, head of the Upper School, “Rob was one of the firstteachers to take an interest in me. He quickly became a mentor and someone who offereda tremendous amount of guidance and advice.”

Kate Wade, head of the Middle School, credited Rob with “creating a space for the boys” during the firstfull academic year of the pandemic. He employed his characteristic “dad humor” and his “silly puns,” said Kate, to keep the students’ spirits up as they adjusted to being in cohorts and to following COVID guidelines.

John “Fitz” Fitzsimmons recounted an experience his son, Charlie ’15,

“The School was so enriched by [Rob’s] gifts as an educator … he left a legacy of an infectious and passionate love of school life, a flair for the dramatic, including all things Shakespearean, and a generous-to-all spirit toward teachers and students.” – Headmaster Emeritus Jerry Ward

had when Rob was his teacher. Charlie announced at supper one evening that he had learned the meaning of the word “loiter” that day in Mr. Morrison’s class.

“Did you learn any other words?” Fitz asked his son. “Nope,” Charlie replied. “Just ‘loiter’.”

It seems that when a student had asked what the word meant, Rob demonstrated the English teacher’s commandment of “Show. Don’t Tell.” He herded the class into a van and drove them to the spot on Main Street where Henry David Thoreauwas jailed for not paying a war tax. Thenhe led them to a nearby sign that read “No Loitering Allowed.”

Rob explained the meaning of the word, then bought the boys ice cream at Helen’s. “Thetrip seemed so fittingfor Rob, our Yankee Brahmin, iconoclastic educator, folksy historian, soccer fiend, Shakespeare-spouting stagehand, director, and inveterate do-gooder,” Fitz said.

One of the most important lessons he has learned, Rob told his colleagues that evening, is that “you never know what influenceyou are having on a student. You throw a pebble and you don’t know where the ripples will go. You take kids loitering, but you may never know what the impact of that lesson will be,” he said, “and you should never forget that.”

As an undergraduate, Rob studied biology and English at Lafayette College, where he met his future wife, Liz. Later he earned his master’s in Shakespeare Studies at the University of Birmingham in the UK, writing his thesis on the role of justice in the plays and how it tied into the legal system of England in Shakespeare’s time.

Teaching Shakespeare as a sixth grade arts course, a class originated by former faculty member Lynn Duval, and guiding the boys in multiple performances each year are among Rob’s most cherished Fenn experiences. “Theboys worked hard, wrestling with the language and the difficulideas. But I inoculated them against a fear of Shakespeare.”

Rob made sure when directing his young players “that the parents would be very proud of their kids. I wanted them to leave saying it was ‘a good play,’ rather than ‘a good sixth grade play.’ Over the years there were some absolutely outstanding performances with kids who had natural talent and command of the language and of the stage.”

Kirsten Gould, Fenn’s former drama director, said that Rob was “an invaluable role model” and added that “Every audience was awed by what his students achieved. Now the course is a tradition at Fenn.” Rob was delighted when his daughter, Sarah Zietman, 35, took over her dad’s theatre tech class in 2022 and is now teaching his Shakespeare class.

Rob’s devotion to the Bard is evident. He not only keeps a small “shrine” in his home library, watched over by a portrait of Shakespeare, but he has also said that in the event of a fire,the three things he would whisk out of the house would be, in order, his wife, his pets, and his heavily annotated copy of Macbeth, his favorite play.

Teaching “all of American history through the lens of the story of the town of Concord” is a point of pride for Rob. How were Native Americans treated in Concord when they firstsettled here?

How about African Americans? were among the queries he posed to his class.

“I would give the boys questions that I didn’t really know the answers to and we would findthem together,” Rob said. “I embraced the idea of teaching without a net and accepted that I didn’t have to always know everything. ‘Okay, boys,’ I would say. ‘Let’s figureit out.’ I found it exhilarating to learn alongside them.”

Over the years Rob would take his class down to the Old North Bridge and “march them in battle formation.” Or they would visit local houses that sheltered fleeingslaves. “I think a lot of my best ideas came while I was in the shower before the day started,” he said

“[Rob was] our Yankee Brahmin, iconoclastic educator, folksy historian, soccer fiend, Shakespeare-spouting stagehand, director and inveterate do-gooder.” – Faculty colleague John Fitzsimmons

“I embraced the idea of teaching without a net and accepted that I didn’t have to always know everything. ‘Okay, boys,’ I would say. ‘Let’s figure it out.’ I found it exhilarating to learn alongside them.” – Rob Morrison

with a grin. One of his favorite projects was researching with his class the life of George Frisbie Hoar, a five-termU.S. Senator in the late 1800s who is buried in Concord.

“Thatwas so great,” he said, “because we were doing real history, history that had not been plumbed before.” Every year afterthat, Rob took his class to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where each boy read aloud the words on Hoar’s tomb, thereby becoming an “official

member of what he called the George Frisbie Hoar Appreciation Society.

When the Robbins House, one of the only known historic sites commemorating the legacy of a previously enslaved Revolutionary War veteran, was moved to its current location opposite the Old North Bridge and restored, it was Rob’s class that conducted a significantamount of research about all of the African Americans who had lived in Concord and that created the firs

exhibits for the house for when it was opened to the public.

Rob brought the same zeal for teaching to the fieldand court. A soccer player nearly all of his life, Rob is passionate about the game, for which he prefers the English term, football. Dave Sanborn coached the JV soccer squad with Rob for fifteeyears. “A few boys each year would volunteer to be goalies, declaring themselves to be experienced in that position,” Dave said, “principally

because they arrived with a pair of padded gloves and a long-sleeved jersey in a neon color.”

Rob “would teach them a battery of fundamental skills that frankly the boys did not previously realize existed,” Dave explained. “It was an annual master class in coaching.”

Shakespeare writes that “One man in his time plays many parts…” and Rob is living proof of those words. He took over Read Albright’s job as the narrator of the faculty’s annual adaptation of A Christmas Carol and helped write the script, both of which he did with gusto. Rob returned to campus this past December to play Marley’s ghost, rattling his chains in the Ward Hall balcony.

In recent years Rob assisted with the service learning program. As the pandemic wound down, there was much rebuilding to do with Fenn’s community partners such as Open Table Pantry and Gaining Ground. But he and his colleague Emmalee Fay also began offering an opportunity for seventh graders to learn about the various aspects of homelessness in greater Boston.

Students tackled research projects, met with organizers of an exhibit of photos taken by people experiencing homelessness, wrote poems and stories in English class, wrestled with problem sets around the numbers and statistics of homelessness in math class, and shared with the School community what they learned. Collaborative projects like this one are among the highlights of his teaching career, said Rob. Another was centered around the novel The Martian, for which Dave Sanborn covered the math and Dave Duane the science.

Rob is devoting more time now to pursuing his interest in local history. He is on the board of the Robbins House and is helping to plan Concord 250, a celebration in April 2025 that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the

American Revolution.

Some years back Rob noticed that there are many places named Concord around the country. “I wondered what it would be like to visit some of them,” he said, “and then, not just some of them, but all of them.” He discovered there are approximately ninety Concords, from the largest one, in California, to one that is underneath a reservoir in Texas. He has been to sixty-fiveof them.

Rob isn’t sure what this project will produce—maybe a book or series of articles—but it seems to be the journey and the curiosity that drives it, and not necessarily the outcome.

Post-retirement life for Rob is full and includes spending time with his children and grandchild. He and Liz help care for Sarah’s three-year-old daughter, Annie-Robin. Tom ’11, who is 27 and works in advertising in New York, was married last summer to Elisabeth Akant. Lucy, 23, is earning her master’s in public health at Tufts. Heather, 30, is an archaeologist, firfighter,and park ranger in Arizona.

Rob played soccer in Copenhagen this summer with members of the Concord United team. He “partially achieved” another retirement goal by traveling to a distillery in Wales, though Rob is a devotee of Scotch— and, he noted, you can only call whisky “Scotch” in Scotland.

Rob, Liz, and Lucy planned to visit Rwanda this past February for two weeks, where they hoped to visit a school for the underprivileged and hike among mountain gorillas.

Of his meeting with Jerry that summer day, and for the series of fortuitous experiences that preceded and have followed it, Rob says he will be eternally grateful. “I’ve had supportive parents. I have an amazing wife and great kids and

a grandchild. Working in an independent school meant I could teach my passion. What else can I say?” he added. “I am an incredibly lucky man.”

Laurie O’Neill is a freelance writer and former teacher and writer/editor at Fenn. She lives in Concord.

Around Campus

Here, our fifth grade student “doctors” were reporting for duty at Order of Operations Hospital in Fenn’s Old Gym. Turn to page 26 to learn more about this creative take on Lower School math instruction. Faculty ingenuity enriched the experience of students across divisions and academic subjects this fall and winter, which the coming pages showcase. Enjoy snapshots ranging from drama productions of Three Musketeers, Hobbit, and Shakespeare offerings; experimentation and creation in the Stone Family Innovation Lab and art studios; stellar student successes in math competitions, speaking contests, and poetry slams; service learning fundraising; and more. Thank you to the Fenn Parents Association for assembly programming that served as an engaging complement to it all!

Fennonacci’s Fantastic Finishes

Outfitted in “Fennonacci” branded jerseys inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, four students from Fenn’s Math Competition Team represented the School brilliantly on Saturday, March 2 at the state competition of the MATHCOUNTS® Competition Series, a national program providing middle school students the opportunity to compete in live math contests as individuals and school teams. After a rigorous day of competition, the foursome of seventh grader Nathan Xu and eighth graders Anthony Ji, Ruben Lee, and Hanwen Tang emerged as the 11th strongest math team in Massachusetts among a field of 21 exceptional teams and 130+ competitors.

The team of Xu, Ji, Tang, and eighth grader James Beebee (who was replaced by Ruben Lee on March 2 due to illness) previously secured 3rd place among a field of 16 schools and 150 competitors in the Metro-West Chapter Competition in February to qualify for the state competition. Eight other Fenn students also participated in the Chapter Competition, forming a team of twelve that ultimately earned Fenn the honor of having the second highest number of students place in the top 25 percent of all participants. The additional eight students were seventh graders Austin Fischl and Andrew Fugh and eighth graders Ben Gao, Ruben Lee, Yang Lu, Sean Park, Kyle Wang, and Vincent Wu.

The competitors hail from a Fenn Math Club of 30+ students who meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons to sharpen their math skills and “train” with their classmates in grades 6-8. Math teacher George Scott is their guide, with support from Math Department Chair Ryan Miklusak.

“It’s great to see so many interested boys voluntarily engage in fun and challenging math every Tuesday afternoon for an hour,” shared Scott. “They love to share ideas and clever approaches to solving difficult problems, and the peer-to-peer learning that happens in the process is inspiring.” And what an inspiration they have been this fall and winter as they took their math prowess on the road against other skilled student mathematicians!

Poetry Slam Inspires Eighth Grade Storytelling

The Hammett Ory Library masqueraded as a swanky jazz club on the morning of Friday, November 10. Smooth jazz music wafted through the space and shimmering faux candles sat atop high-top tables to illuminate the darkened room, creating the optimal setting for the finals of the eighth grade’s Poetry Slam contest hosted by library team Siobhan Smith and Leonor Daley (l and r above) and English Department Chair Jill MacKinnon (at center).

More than ten eighth grade finalists courageously stood before their peers to share their vulnerability, passion, and heartfelt perspectives through original poetry. James Beebee claimed 1st prize with a perfect score from the judging panel, and classmates Ruben Lee and Rex Hudson earned honorable mention recognition. Judges were challenged to narrow the winners down to three, as each performance from the full slate of boys was soul-baring and of exceptional quality.

Leading up to the poetry slam, award-winning author and poet Dariana Guerrero visited Fenn on Friday, October 27 for an allschool assembly where she shared her own poetry and the range of emotions and experiences that fueled it. She also dedicated time to workshopping drafts of the eighth graders’ poetry to help the boys finalize their pieces and prepare for their recitations.

Creative Learning Experiences

Engage Lower School Students

Few adults remember how their teachers taught them Order of Operations in their elementary school math classes. The same will not hold true for Fenn’s fifth grade math students this year. Math class shifted from the classroom to the Old Gym, where students were greeted by an Order of Operations Hospital and asked to don scrubs and medical badges and get to work treating various ailments of celebrities in need of care. In small teams, they tackled math problems that would unlock clues to the celebrity diagnoses and treatment pathways that would improve their health. Judging by the smiles on the students’ faces and their engagement in the problem-solving, their shift at the Order of Operations Hospital–spearheaded by Mrs. Nash–was exactly what our student doctors needed to fully comprehend the concepts.

Unique learning experiences at Fenn are certainly not limited to fifth grade math. Whether being challenged to embrace design thinking principles when conceptualizing and constructing games for a cardboard arcade in the Stone Family Innovation Lab or engaging with best-selling authors such as Gregory Mone (below), Kwame Alexander or Judy Blume to learn how to craft compelling stories and improve one’s own writing, and so much more, our Fenn boys are exposed to a wealth of unique learning opportunities.

Historic Extemporaneous Speaking Contest Crowns Its Victors

On Friday, December 8, the Hector J. Hughes Extemporaneous Speaking Contest delighted an audience of students, faculty, staff, parents, and guests as it has done for decades since the tradition was born at Fenn in 1950.

Sixteen finalists representing grades 6-8 took to the stage poised and ready to receive a topic that they would have mere minutes to consider before being called into the spotlight by faculty emcee David Duane to deliver their most entertaining brand of storytelling.

The competition was fierce, leaving the judging panel locked in a debate over the students that should be named the victors. Judges for the contest were Kyle Butler, assistant director of admission & coordinator of multicultural outreach; Ryan Magnuson, director of learning support services; and Becca Newhouse, human resource coordinator and payroll & benefits administrator.

The top prize was handily secured by eighth grader Jimmy McLaughlin, whose confidence, character development, and humor were all on point during a response to: “How I Won a Mr. Beast Challenge.” Honorable Mention prizes went to eighth grader Kyle Wang for his response to “If you could tame any mythical creature, here is what it should be” and seventh grader Peter Mokoro for his animated storytelling in response to “I can secretly speak to animals. Here’s what they’re saying.” Bravo to all finalists!

Fall 2023 Sports Report

As the vibrant hues of autumn painted the landscape of the campus, Fenn sports teams embraced the contagious energy of another exhilarating fall sports season. The cheers of supportive fans echoed through the air as student-athletes faced each opportunity and challenge with unwavering determination.

Cross Country

Fenn Cross Country enjoyed a fantastic season this past fall, posting the best record of all Fenn sports teams at 9-2. With nearly all new varsity runners, Coaches Cribb and Brandfonbrener knew that they had to push their team to work hard and believe in themselves in order to improve their times and achieve such an enviable level of success.

While Fenn faced a wealth of strong teams and confidentrunners, the boys in blue and gold frequently came out on top. Led by seventh grader Charlie McGowan and followed closely by seventh grader Tye Reesey and eighth graders Juwan Acevedo and Alex Signorovitch, the boys fought masterfully against middle school teams such as Pike, Fay, and Fessenden, and high school

(freshman) teams from St. Sebastian’s, Dexter, and Rivers, to name a few. Facing a competitive schedule throughout the season helped to ready the Fenn team to perform at an extremely high level at the annual Roxbury Latin Jamboree.

Fenn finished3rd overall at the Jamboree, and 1st for schools running with only middle school athletes. With over 250 runners competing in the event, three Fenn runners also finishedin the Top 15 (McGowan/7th, Acevedo/9th, Reesey/15th)—the best finishthat Fenn has posted at the prestigious running event.

Across the season, six Fenn runners also each improved their PRs (personal records) by more than 1:30.

Congratulations to seventh graders James Maletz and Joseph Blake, eighth

graders Daniyal Mian, Milo DuBois, and Romir Vishwanath, and ninth grader Joe Galante for this achievement.

Team captains were Hector Cruz, Daniel McGowan, and Henry Bonzagni.

Football

Heading into the season without key playmakers from last year, Coaches Ryan, Burgess, and Blau had to rely on the experience and leadership of their confidentninth graders. Afterfalling short to an impressive Fay School team in the Homecoming game, Fenn used valuable time during practice and flag

games to regroup and prepare for their finalthree padded games of the season.

In a matchup on the road against Noble and Greenough School, Elijah Donnalson was the engine for the Fenn offenseall game, running for 200+ yards and finishingwith all three of Fenn’s touchdowns. Eighth grader Buggy Lyon played well at fullback, making numer-

ous big blocks that allowed Fenn’s run game to be so effective.Eighth grade linebackers Mason Principe and Charlie Whitmore led the defense with critical tackles that helped to stop Nobles on its finaldrive and ultimately secure a 22-14 Fenn win.

Following another tough loss to Fay, Fenn had one game leftagainst a historically challenging opponent in Fessenden. Under the bright lights of the Fessenden football field,Fenn shined brightest to cap offthe season. Donnalson was again the differencemaker, rushing once more for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Ninth grader Miles Schrodel and eighth grader Cooper Low also scored on the ground for the blue and gold, helping lead Fenn to a 30-22 win on the road.

Defensively, it was a team effort,led by Lyon and ninth grader Patrick Carolan on the defensive line. Ninth grader Alex Luo also had his best game of the season and finishedwith three tackles for loss.

Team captains were ninth graders

Patrick Carolan and Elijah Donnalson and eighth grader Buggy Lyon.

Varsity Soccer

With the departure of longtime head coach Bob Starensier following his retirement in June, Coaches Andy Rentschler and Jason Rude took the reins of the Fenn Varsity Soccer program. With seven returning players and a crop of talented newcomers, this year’s squad was ready to build on the success of the teams that came before them. Led by ninth grade captains James Creelman, GriffDewing, and Brett Wohletz, the Varsity Soccer team finishedwith a stellar 7-3-1 regular season record.

Fenn outscored its opponents 36-11 across 11 games. Key contributors were eighth graders Eli Waldeck and Rex Hudson, who each scored seven goals, and Andy Voss, who added six of his own. As much as the team’s scoring propelled them to victory, Coach Rude was most impressed with their performances against Fay and Fessenden—the highest level of competition they saw all season. Even though they did not result in victories, a 2-0 loss to Fay and 0-0 tie with Fessenden showed that this team was up for any challenge.

“Theyused all the tools we went over in our practices,” said Rude. “These teams were elite and have had a history of being elite. We found a way to run with them and hang in these games. Thatis exactly the kind of effortwe want to see from our varsity programs.”

Fenn received top notch goaltending all season from ninth grader Eric Olson, as well as hard-nosed defense from Wohletz, Peter Belin, Max Kulewicz, and Walker Leonard. Ninth grader Ethan Pearson, eighth grader Van Rowan, and seventh grader Luke Mutooni controlled the midfieldfor the blue and gold.

To conclude the season, Fenn hosted a special Star Cup Soccer Tournament named in honor of former head coach and athletic director Bob Starensier. Pike School, Carroll School, and Applewild School traveled to Concord to participate. It was Fenn who prevailed over Pike 5-0 in the championship game to win it all, and “Star” proudly presented the trophy to the victorious Fenn team. See team photo below.

Junior Varsity Soccer

With a skilled group of returning players and determined upperclassmen, the Fenn JV Soccer team was eager to begin their fall season. Coaches Sanborn and Dipersia had the boys ready for an opening season scrimmage against Dexter, and they came out firingfrom the opening whistle. Thanksto multiple goals from ninth grader Ben Kugeler

and eighth grader Nkosi Dube, the Fenn offensewas offto the races. Solid defensive play from ninth graders Gordie Gund and Sammy Bigelow helped to preserve a shutout in the team’s first contest of the season.

As the season progressed, Fenn battled against tougher opponents and found themselves on the losing end of tightly contested games against Fay,

Fessenden, and Sparhawk Academy. Eighth grade goalie Ryan Mulvany played some of his best soccer during this stretch, making countless big saves to keep Fenn competitive in these games. Thisincluded a 15-save performance against a high-powered Belmont Hill squad.

Thegame of the year for the team came against Fay in a rematch on the Reynolds Fields. It was the team’s Pink Out game, and team captains ninth grader Jonas Ahlgren and eighth grader Cass Myler had their teammates laser focused early in the matchup. Thatfocus carried over into the second half when a still scoreless battle was finallybroken. Ahlgren

received a pass up the leftsideline and sent a perfect cross onto the head of a diving Nkosi Dube, who directed the ball past the outstretched goalie’s arm to give Fenn the 1-0 lead. Fenn’s determined defense (of eighth graders Sean Park, Luke Oldershaw, and Alex Sutton, plus Gund) held on for a great win at home against this historic rival.

“Thisgroup showed a lot of hustle and a desire to work as a team to get this win,” said Coach Sanborn. “To me, this game was the highlight of our season.”

Thirds Soccer

Soccer was the sport of choice in the Upper School this fall, with Fenn fielding three teams. Among them was a Thirds Soccer squad of Upper Schoolers who had played for years mixed with others giving soccer a try for the firsttime. With Head Coach Billy Hackett ’87 at the helm (supported by Coach Quinn Writer), the team prepared well for the season ahead of them.

Aftera solid start with a win over Park School and ties against Carroll and Fay, the meat of the schedule challenged the team. Regardless of some results in favor of opponents, Coaches Hackett and Writer kept to the game plan and continued to see growth during practices and games.

“Therewas no quit in this team,” said Coach Hackett. “Thiswas a group of boys who were happy to be out there on the fieldworking hard, but more importantly working together. They thrived in that area all season.”

A late season game against Belmont Day would show that total team effort from the firstwhistle to the last. Eighth grader Diego Mojica hit a perfectly aimed shot into the top right corner of the net to give the blue and gold the lead. Theninth grade goalie tandem of Jack McBride and Bjorn Tellefsen then successfully kept their opponents offthe board with some great saves, helping to propel Fenn to a 1-0 win. Solid play

from eighth graders Kaden Ata, Dylan Neumann, Mitchell Ntuen, and Finn Whitman throughout the season helped the team rise to the occasion in each of its matchups.

Captains for ThirdsSoccer were Jack McBride and Mitchell Ntuen.

A Growing Community

As the Fenn community ushered long-tenured faculty into retirement, we also extended a warm welcome to a talented and dedicated group of new faculty, staff, and trustees. We invite you to learn more about each of their backgrounds and new roles on Monument Street!

NEW FACULTY AND STAFF

Zedahlina (Zedah) Alayon-Murat became our newest Faculty Associate in November afterserving as an Extended Day supervisor since September 2022. Zedah is studying for her Bachelor of Arts in middle school education with a math focus from Lesley University and has taught classes in algebra, geometry, and pre-algebra to students in grades 6-8 as part of her studies. She has also served as a CAD (computer-aided drafting)instructor for elementary through high school aged students since 2019, including for the Summer Fenn Day Camp.

serving as a youth basketball coach for grades 7-8 and as a sports-focused camp counselor at Camp Sewataro in Sudbury, MA for the past four years.

is a Boston native and a graduate of TheRivers School and more recently Colby College, where he majored in educational studies, minored in classics, and served as captain of the men’s basketball team. Kyle is also founder and CEO of KB3 Elite Basketball, a youth basketball development company that has grown to include 450+ athletes ranging from middle school to NBA players. Beyond his Admissions role at Fenn, Kyle serves as a varsity basketball coach.

Peter Blau ’16 is directing his passion for sports into his new role as a Fenn Fellow with a focus on athletics. Peter graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in information systems and analytics (and minor in sports management) from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Oxford, OH. While there, he thrived as student manager of the men’s basketball team for four years. Peter has also enjoyed

Alex Brandfonbrener joined Fenn this fall as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Teaching Intern and faculty assistant for select Middle School and Upper School math sections. Alex is a May 2023 graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor of Arts in statistics and English. While there, he helped to found a student-run DEI committee in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to address racism in Amherst academic spaces. He also planned and hosted an alumni speaker series and conducted a student survey to provide department faculty with information about DEI issues at Amherst. Alex also served as a peer tutor and research fellow across multiple college departments.

TheAdmissions Officwas thrilled to add Kyle Butler to its team as an Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Multicultural Outreach. Kyle joined the community late last spring to experience the finalweek of classes and Graduation Week festivities before moving into a role on the Summer Fenn crew. Kyle

Coming to Fenn from Indiana was Sara Jackson afterserving as a Middle School teacher in social studies and French for the last three years at Canterbury School in Fort Wayne. Sara enthusiastically dove into her new roles as Middle School social studies and English teacher, advisor, and coach at Fenn. She offers extensive experience working with students aged 6 to 25, including also as an adjunct faculty member and long-time teaching assistant at Purdue University. She holds undergraduate degrees in English, French, and history

from Indiana University, a master’s degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a M.F.A. in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

mention providing valuable tech support for Ward Hall special programs. He continues to leverage this valuable expertise during school year productions and All School Meetings.

Eleanor (Ella) Janvier quickly made her mark as a new fourth grade language arts and social studies teacher, advisor, and coach. She came to Fenn from KIPP New Orleans, which serves students from pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as part of a KIPP network of 220+ public schools. Ella served as an instructional coach and lead English teacher for KIPP Leadership Academy, receiving Top Performer (’22), Teacher of the Year (’21), Momentum (’20), and Top Growth (’19) awards. She also enjoyed time as assistant camp director and waterfront director at Camp Wavus in Damariscotta, Maine, and as an educator at its affiliateLeadership School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Fenn was thrilled to welcome Rebecca Lombardo as the new Director of Advancement, coming to Fenn from her most recent position as Director of Alumni Advancement at Lawrence Academy. Prior to Lawrence Academy, Rebecca served as the director of the BB&N Fund at BB&N, director of the Fay Fund at Fay School, and director of Annual Giving at Wheelock College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Union College and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development.

and a B.A. in elementary education with a concentration in history from Eastern Nazarene College.

Blake Niedenthal is another new member of Fenn’s Lower School team, serving as a social studies, math, and science teacher, advisor, and coach.

Blake joins Fenn from TheFessenden School, where he taught fiftgrade social studies and sixth and seventh grade English. He also led the Middle School’s Jewish AffinitGroup, coached flagfootball and basketball for fift grade as well as varsity tennis, and supported seventh through ninth grade boys as a dorm parent.

Beyond the classroom, Blake also worked for the

past 10 years at overnight summer camps including Camp Manitou for Boys in Maine and Camp Lindenmere in Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Alabama and Master of Education from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.

Erick Lee has been relishing his stint as a Fenn Fellow for technology and looks forward to transitioning into a full-time role as Technology Support Specialist in June. Erick is a 2023 graduate of the University of Hartford, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in music production and technology. He also earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2019 and continues to be a scout volunteer and merit badge counselor. Erick was already a familiar face, as he worked for the Summer Fenn Day Camp as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and counselor, not to

Calling on his 16 years of experience as a teacher and learning specialist, Ryan Magnuson has been enjoying supporting Fenn students as the new Director of Learning Support Services. Ryan previously served as the team leader for the Lower School Learning Support Officat Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, writing all learning profilesfor Lower School students and analyzing and summarizing psychoeducational documentation to best determine accommodations. He also was an expert in using assessments and data to better understand student progress. Ryan has an M.S. in special education with a concentration in mild to moderate disabilities from Johns Hopkins University

Trina Russo, RN officialljoined Fenn’s Health Officteam last spring as a part-time afternoonnurse, following a handful of months in a temporary capacity at Fenn. She offers16+ years of nursing experience working in a variety of settings including hospitals, pediatric clinics, schools, and summer

camps. In her free time, Trina enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, snowmobiling, and camping.

Erica Silverman P’22 ’28 official joined Fenn’s Advancement team as Director of Constituent Engagement in September, afterexcelling in an interim

INTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

Fenn is equally pleased to applaud two welldeserved faculty and staffappointments.

Rebecca Newhouse’s role expanded in the Fenn Business Officeas she was named the School’s firstHuman Resource Coordinator. Becca also continues to serve as Payroll and BenefitsAdministrator. Emmalee Fay was appointed Director of Service Learning, following her years of service as the program’s co-coordinator with now-retired faculty member Rob Morrison. See the photo at right from Fenn’s Open Table Food Drive in February, with Emmalee at the center leading her dedicated student volunteers.

NEW TRUSTEES

role last year. She now leads Fenn’s engagement and outreach efforts designing events and communications to keep alumni and parents of alumni connected to the School. Erica’s son, Zach, is a current fiftgrader at Fenn, having joined his brother Gabe ’22, and father Scott ’87, on the Blue team. Prior to Fenn, Erica was a litigation attorney in the public and private sectors. She also owns a video production company that focuses on creating videos for special occasions.

Chris Anderson P’27

Chris is a partner at Kohlberg & Company, a leading private equity fir headquartered in Mount Kisco, NY. Chris joined Kohlberg in 1998 and currently leads the firm’sPharma & Medical Products & Services investment practice, which focuses on investments in companies that provide services and support to pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Chris was previously an analyst at Warburg Dillon Read in New York, NY. Chris received a B.A. in history from Princeton University in 1997.

Chris lives in Concord with his wife, Melissa, who is the Head of Upper School at TheRivers School in Weston, MA. In addition to his son Liam (Fenn ’27), he has twin daughters who are sophomores at Rivers: Mairin and Chase. When he is not working or with family, Chris is usually coaching or watching one of his kids somewhere on a court or field.

Gina LaRoche P’11 ’13

Gina is an organizational leadership consultant, facilitator, and executive coach, and co-founder of Seven Stones Leadership Group with Jennifer Cohen. She leverages 30 years of experience in delivering executive programs that challenge leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to accelerate results using vision, strategy, and accountability. She is co-author of The Seven Laws of Enough, which was named one of “4 Life-LiftingBooks for 2019 and Beyond” by Black Enterprise. Prior to Seven Stones, Gina acquired 15 years of experience in

sales, marketing, and training at high-tech and emerging growth companies including Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Vicorp Interactive Systems, and IBM.

Gina holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University. She currently lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband, Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and sons Jackson ’11 and Griffi’13. Gina enjoys golf and sitting meditation, and is a collage artist.

Lauren Manthripragada P’27 (Parents Association)

Lauren is an architect and designer, with expertise in architectural design, graphic design, advertising, and corporate branding. Her most recent architectural focus was in the retail and commercial space, designing Atelier SoHo in NYC and Fred’s at Barneys in Beverly Hills. Lauren also previously worked in the advertising industry at Arnold in Boston and received her M.Arch. from the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design.

Lauren and her husband, Vijay, became Fenn parents in 2021, when their eldest,

Harris Rosenheim ’02 (Alumni Association)

Elected president of the Alumni Association in May, Harris boasts a long history of volunteering for Fenn. In addition to three terms on the Alumni Council (most recently as Chair of the Alumni Services Committee), Harris is also a member of the Board of Visitors and a Class Senator and Reunion Chair.

Professionally, Harris works in wealth management at UBS Financial Services in Boston. Thisfollows a stint in development and alumni relations, fundraising for both Harvard Business School and Fenn. At Fenn, Harris firstserved as an advancement officeoverseeing the Annual Fund and alumni programming

Owen, joined in 4th grade afterthe family relocated to Concord from California. The also have two younger children, Mira and Rhys. At Fenn, Lauren served as a grade parent for Owen’s 4th grade class and Vice President of Parent Programs and Events for the Parents Association in 2022-2023. She stepped into her role as PA President on July 1, 2023, and has been excited to continue contributing to the Fenn community and mission through the Parents Association.

before being charged with establishing a formal alumni program as the inaugural director of alumni giving & alumni relations. TheAlumni Class Senator program, Homecoming, and Founder’s Night were established during his tenure.

Harris has also served as vice president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors at his alma mater Connecticut College, as a member of the development committee at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, and on the Friends Council at Boston’s Esplanade Association. He resides in Boston and enjoys skiing, tennis, golf, and squash.

Alumni News

The joy on the faces of faculty legend John Fitzsimmons and Chris Ruedigar ’14 were mirrored back to them from the crowd of alumni, alumni families, and faculty and staff who gathered in the later afternoon on Homecoming Day to hear their fantastic brand of music at a reception at the Head of School’s home. With a turn of the page, enjoy highlights of the fall and winter’s alumni-focused festivities, spanning reunion (which honored Tony Howland ’68 as the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus) through events as recent as a Boston Golf Night in late January. Class Notes follow, featuring life highlights across the generations, before we conclude with recognition of the Fenn community members who we have sadly lost.

Alumni Dinner Celebrates Reunion Classes

Laughter, reminiscing, and reliving of stories from middle school journeys through Fenn were in large supply during last year’s Reunion Dinner on Friday, September 30. Alumni in reunion classes spanning 1958 to 2013 were honored for their respective milestones, as was Fenn’s 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Tony Howland ’68. Enjoy these images from the evening, as well as the story on page 45 highlighting Tony’s remarks of gratitude to Fenn for the honor and his special boyhood memories of Fenn.

From Boarder to Board Member

Weston “Tony” Howland ’68 Named 2023 Distinguished Alumnus

SPORTING HIS CUSTOMARY BOW TIE, Tony Howland ’68 proudly received Fenn’s 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Alumni Association President Harris Rosenheim ’02 at Reunion Dinner this past fall. Theaward is bestowed upon alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their fieldsand to those around them with additional consideration to their involvement with Fenn.

“I’m honored to be given this award,” remarked Tony afterreceiving the customary giftof a Fenn School mirror (and a Fenn bow tie promised at a later date, of course). “When I was here, I didn’t really appreciate what Fenn stood for,” he added about his years at Fenn when he was housed in the W. W. Fenn Building during the School’s boarding days and former faculty member and Fenn icon Mark Biscoe was his dorm parent. “Mark got boys. He took eight of us across the country in a popup trailer. Who would do that??” The audience erupted in hearty laughter at the thought of even proposing such a trip in the current day.

Later experiences as a parent to two Fenn boys (Weston “Westy” Howland ’02 and Christopher “Kit” Howland ’05) and as a Fenn trustee reiterated to Tony the special all-boys school that Fenn truly is.

“It focuses on boys and the little things that you don’t really focus on as a student,” he shared. “It’s the longer recesses, which boys need, and less peer pressure, so boys do things they wouldn’t otherwise do in a co-ed school. And it’s the commitment to Sua Sponte, which is so important.

“Fenn has also been able to adjust, build, and be a part of what’s happening out there [in the world] without changing its core,” he added. “Keep up the good work, Fenn!”

And TheFenn School applauds Tony as heartily for the remarkable achievements and accolades that followed his years as a Fenn boy on Monument Street. Tony serves as Chairman and CEO of Howland Capital, an independent wealth management firmhelping individuals and families manage their financialaffairsto achieve their long-term goals, as well as leveraging his expertise in financeas a trustee on various nonprofitboards.

Tony is chairman of the boards of Social Innovation Forum, which helps connect funders and nonprofits focused on social impact in Eastern Massachusetts, and of the Devonshire Foundation, which supports ready-for-growth programs addressing social and environmental issues. He also serves as

a board member of Youth Connect, a network of nonprofitorganizations that work together to improve education, employment, and healthy behavior outcomes of low-income, at-risk youth aged 14-24.

Finally, as a former trustee of The Fenn School and Dana Hall School, and past chairman of TheMeadowbrook School’s board, Tony embodies a commitment to independent school education. And how evident that is with his long standing appreciation for and commitment to his Fenn alma mater and the School’s continuing impact on the lives of middle school boys!

Homecoming Celebration of Sports and Song

A varsity football battle against Fessenden School and a memorable contribution of music from faculty member John “Fitz” Fitzsimmons and rising country music star Chris Ruediger ’14 at a post-game reception at the Head of School’s home were perfect bookends for Homecoming Day on October 1. Generations of alumni returned to see the boys in blue-and-gold on the gridiron of the Reynolds Fields and to enjoy an alumni beer garden featuring custom flight boards meticulously crafted by woodworking teacher Paul Heinze and Director of Innovation & Design Thinking Nate Kraai. Fenn’s younger guests were treated to arts, crafts, and games spearheaded by Summer Fenn Day Camp team members. And who could forget everyone’s introduction to the ancient atlatl courtesy of Andy Majewski ’83…? See the story on page 48 to learn more!

Meeting the Atlatl with Andy Majewski ’83

For the first time in the history of Fenn Homecoming, darts (or spears) were launched through the air on the Thirds Soccer Field with the help of an atlatl and the expert guidance of proud Fenn alumnus Andy Majewski ’83. When discussing this potential Homecoming “experience” with Andy, he joked, “What Fenn guy WOULDN’T want to launch a projectile across a field…?!” It turns out that he was spot on!

Andy serves as Education Specialist at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology at Harvard University and regularly hosts informal “Meet the Atlatl” sessions that invite guests to wander over and take a few throws. According to the World Atlatl Association, atlatls are ancient weapons that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world and are one of humankind’s first mechanical inventions.

In addition to museum programming featuring the trusty atlatl, Andy recently ran a similar activity as an off-site program for people in the Chelsea community. Curiosity was surely piqued by a program advertised as “Prehistoric Hunting-Weapon Practice - Learn to use a 20,000 year-old weapon called the atlatl (spear-thrower) to see what it was like to take down a mammoth.”

Thankfully, there were no mammoths to take down on Fenn’s Thirds Field, only curious Fenn boys, alums, and families eager to take their turns wielding darts and the atlatl. Thank you to Andy for introducing the community to this intriguing ancient device and providing a glimpse into his museum profession!

A Connected Community

Across the fall and early winter, groups of alumni, parents of alumni, and Fenn faculty and staff gathered to reconnect, share fond memories, build new bonds, and even enjoy pickleball in the Fenn gym and simulator golf at Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and beyond, at a diverse offering of community events. Enjoy some of the events highlighted here!

Holiday Reception

The Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston

December 14, 2023

Boston Golf Night

Five Iron Golf

January 31, 2024

Young Alumni Thanksgiving Reunion

Hosting Classes of 2019-2024 at Fenn

November 21, 2023

Upcoming Alumni Events

Kevin White ’93 Memorial Run

Kevin White ’93 Memorial Run

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024

9:30 AM | Reynolds Field

A two-mile run benefiting the Kevin P. White ’93 Scholarship Fund, established in 2016 to support tuition assistance for students in need.

A two-mile run benefiting the Kevin P. White ’93

L L u u k k e e R R o o g g e e r r s ’’ 0 0 6 6

M M e e m m o o r riia all S S o o c c c c e e r r G G a a m m e e

SATURDA Y , MA Y 4 , 2 0 2 4

10:30 AM | Reynolds Field

A friendly soccer game established in Luke’s memory. Open to all alumni and featuring faculty guests.

for either event, scan the QR Code!

To RSVP for either event, scan the QR Code!

for either event, scan the QR Code!

Alumni Reunion Alumni Reunion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

6:00 PM | Connolly Dining Hall

All Fenn alumni are invited to return to campus for an alumni dinner and celebration of the reunion classes ending in 4s and 9s!

The smile of 25-year Arts Department Chair Mike Salvatore jumps off the page as he stood amidst past members of Fenn’s Marching Band. Mike’s joy for music was palpable, and Fenn was blessed to have such a passionate leader guiding music programming and the Arts Department. We recognize Mike’s February passing in the In Memoriam tribute on page 64 and welcome photos and memories from the community at news@fenn.org for a future magazine story on his lasting impact and influence.

Class Notes

1951

On April 19, 2023, the St. Paul’s School presented Fred Lovejoy with its Alumni Association Award, honoring him as a remarkable individual who exemplifiesthe School’s mission of leading lives in service to the greater good.

1954 Reunion

Reunion Volunteer

Jim Carter, jrcarter3@comcast.net

John Hall finisheda 25-minute video of his Ph.D. work in the Arctic in T-3 Fletcher’s DriftingIce Island. You can view it at https://vimeo.com/manage/ videos/835161787/4fd9130ac1.

1956

Thispast July, Win Sargent and his wife, Bea, moved to Keene, NH.

1959 Reunion

1964 Reunion

1966

Randy Plimpton moved from North Carolina to Rochester, NY, where he is closer to his children. Randy is “thoroughly enjoying the cold and snow versus the heat and humidity of NC.” He plays tennis several times a week and is proud of the foundation he started, ThePlimpton Foundation, which you can check out at Theplimptonfoundation.org

1969 Reunion

1970

Alumni Class Senator Charlie Denault, cadenault@gmail.com

1971

Alumni Class Senator Jamie Jones, jbjones@seamanpaper.com

1973

In June 2023, after21 years on the job, Jon Harris retired from his position as budget and purchasing director for the town of Concord. He continues to use his financia expertise in volunteer roles with the town of Weston as a member of its Finance and UnifiedPlanning Committees. Jon also volunteers as a member of the working group on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Waste for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s Climate Action Plan, and as a director of the Governing Board of the Association of Town Finance Committees (ATFC) of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA).

1974 Reunion

Reunion Volunteers

Andy Smith, jjasmith4@gmail.com

Chuck Huggins, cehuggins@gmail.com

Geoff Roberts, gdrobertsjr@hotmail.com

Andy Smith is “...gearing up for ’74’s 50th [reunion] this fall,” and hopes to

Mark Biscoe ’74 and family

Andy Smith ’74 with wife Wai Gee and daughter Robyn

see many classmates there! His daughter is graduating in 2025 and will be pursuing a master’s degree in criminology; Andy jokes that he “won’t be retiring soon!” Andy actualized his yearbook prediction of a well-paying computer job thanks to Bill Maxwell and credits David Huston that he plays drums in three bands. In early 2023, afterenjoying a few years of retirement, Mark Biscoe, Jr. started up an Executive Coaching and Strategic Consulting business called Biscoe Advisory Services, LLC. “We are focused on the IT Staffi and Solutions industry and having a lot of fun leveraging our experience to help other firmsscale and prosper.”

1978

Alumni Class Senators

David Brown, dhbrown333@gmail.com

Bill Lawrence, lawrencewa@gmail.com

In June 2023, Ben Williams stepped down as head of the Cate School aftera 25-year tenure. He and his wife, Ginger, will spend a “hiatus” year at their home in Montana. Ben writes, “I haven’t really retired. My 25 years at Cate have been marvelous, but I always imagined I would do something else. I just never knew what. Now I’ll have some time to figureit out.” As for family news, Ben’s daughter, Grace, is expecting her second child, and he got a new puppy.

1979 Reunion

Andy Biscoe wrapped up a 27-year Air Force career in April 2023 at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. His career spanned assignments from northeastern Michigan to western Massachusetts, Kuwait, Alabama, and Virginia. Andy retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. He continues his Air Force work as a civilian employee at Robins AFB.

1980

Alumni Class Senator

Jon Cappetta, cappettajon@gmail.com

John Cappetta says hello to all Fenn alumni, teachers, and staff.He is taking time off from his teaching career and plans to return to teaching next fall. He looks forward to the next Fenn event.

Andy Biscoe ’79 receives a shadow box honoring his 27-year career in the Air Force.

1983

Alumni Class Senators

Andy Majewski, amajewsk@fas.harvard.edu

Scott Van Houten, smvccc01@gmail.com

Between rehearsals and recording the lead role in an audio drama, Paul Vinger and his wife managed to sneak away to beautiful Antigua for vacation.

1984 Reunion

Reunion Volunteer

Randy Kilmon, rkilmon@gmail.com

1987

Scott Silverman was appointed the inaugural incumbent of the Diana L. and Thomas F. Ryan Endowed Chair for Stroke Care and Education. Scott is the clinical director of the Mass General Hospital Stroke Service, program director of the MGH/BWH/ HMS Vascular Neurology Fellowship, and an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.

1989 Reunion

Reunion Volunteer

Matt Boger, mattboger@yahoo.com

Alumni Class Senators

Matt Boger, mattboger@yahoo.com

Brian Davidson, bw_davidson@yahoo.com

1990

Alumni Class Senator

Alex Zavorski, zavorski@gmail.com

1992

Robert Lathan married Anna Schmitz in Asciano, Italy, on October 12, 2023.

1993

Wally Moran is living in Peoria, AZ, just outside of Phoenix, and recently bought a place up north in the Prescott National Forest, which is “definitelymuch cooler than the valley.” Cam Wilson and his fiancée, Amanda Zamora, are planning a honeymoon in Japan and Thailand

1994 Reunion

Alumni Class Senator and Reunion Volunteer

Breman Thuraisingham, breman_t@yahoo.com

Alec Duncan lives in Denver, CO, and works for Oxy Oil and Gas as a development and operations manager for the Wyoming Powder River Basin team. He has worked in the oil business for about 15 years. Alec is also a personal and professional development coach. “I help clients identify the most important work in their lives and support them in findingthe courage and space to go afterit. I also work as a team systems coach, coaching teams on the underlying relationships that enable teams to enjoy and deliver great results. Reach out to me if any of that sounds interesting. My website is slatecoaching.com. I would legitimately love to hear from you.” On a personal note, Alec and his wife, Megan, have two daughters, Alice (7) and Louisa (5). “They’reamazing, infuriating, delightful, kind, loving—all the stuff it’s great.” His “mom lives down the street, moving here from Concord in 2019 about 6 months before the world shut down. She tells my girls all about TheFenn School band and how their granddad (they never met) marched with the band as a ‘band-aide.’ I miss my old man every day. I can’t say I miss the East Coast life…, but I miss the people, the winding tree-lined roads of Concord, the

ocean, and watching the Blue & Gold beat the seeds offof FAY in any sport that exists.”

1996

Luke Colby married Mary Huerter, a cardiothoracic surgeon, on September 23 at Our Lady of Good Voyage chapel on the Boston waterfront. Theirwedding reception took place cruising Boston Harbor aboard TheValiant, a classic 1920s yacht.

1997

Alumni Class Senator

Nat Carr, ncarr@fenn.org

Dave Kitendaugh and his wife, Lindsay, celebrated Thanksgivingthis year with a new addition to their family. Son James Kelley Kitendaugh, born on November 14, 2023, joins sister Madeleine (4) in the Kitendaugh family.

1998

Alumni Class Senator

Patrick Jones, patrick.jones.p@gmail.com

1999 Reunion

Alumni Class Senators and Reunion Volunteers

Ryan Connolly, ryan.connolly@ms.com

Sam Takvorian, stakvorian@gmail.com

Ryan Hass and his wife, Amy, celebrated the birth of their third daughter on September 5, 2023. Molly Dora Hass, named for Amy’s grandmother, weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 19.5 inches. Big sisters Taylor and Nora were excited to welcome Molly to the family.

2000

Alumni Class Senators

George Carr, gcarr4@gmail.com

Matt Ward, mward@fenn.org

Matt Ward and his wife, Courtney, welcomed the arrival of Sage Finigan Ward at 12:58 p.m. on April 13, 2023, at Mt. Auburn

Alec Duncan ’94 with daughters Alice (7) and Louisa (5)

Hospital in Cambridge. Sage was 20 inches and weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz.—“a little bundle of joy,” reports dad Matt. Sage’s siblings, Zoe and Van, and the rest of her family were so excited to meet her!

2001

Alumni Class Senator Jimmy Hall, jkhall4@gmail.com

Jimmy Hall brought the Fenn spirit on a recent trip to remote Easter Island.

2002

Alumni Class Senator Harris Rosenheim, hrosenheim@gmail.com

Topher Bevis and his wife, Sarah, welcomed daughter Cooper Jean Bevis to their family on May 24, 2023. She joined brothers Crewe and Bode in the Bevis family. Will Howerton, his wife, baby Nate, and big brother Gabe are embracing the joyful chaos of life as a family of four in the Bay Area. Will has spent nearly two years at In-Q-Tel, the venture investor of the U.S. intelligence community, where he mostly focuses on investments in cybersecurity companies. On April 27, 2023, Davis Rosborough and his wife, Nina, celebrated the arrival of Hugh Alexander Rosborough, who was born at Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. and measuring 21 inches. Billy Stone is a registered nurse working in the Emergency Center at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA. Xander Manshel’s book Writing

Backwards: Historical Fiction and Reshaping of the American Canon was published by Columbia University Press in November 2023 to reviews calling it “fascinating” and “beautifully written and persuasively argued.” Thebook studies how historical fictionhas evolved over the last half century, documenting the formation of the newly inclusive literary canon as well as who and what it still excludes. Reviewer James English writes, “In a brilliant stroke of analysis,

Alexander Manshel shows that two of the most striking recent changes in the system of literary prestige—a tendency to value historical fictionover novels of contemporary life and a weakening of the white monopoly on critical esteem—are in fact two sides of the same symbolic coin. Writing Backwards is essential reading for anyone interested in the racial dynamics of value in contemporary American letters.”

2003

Alumni Class Senators

Jack Carroll, je.carroll10@gmail.com

Bronson Kussin, bronson.kussin@gmail.com

Christian Manchester, christian.d.manchester@gmail.com

Chris Swearingen and his wife, Natalie, have begun a new chapter of their lives with the arrival of daughter Violet Hooper Swearingen in September 2023. Congratulations, Chris and Natalie!

2004 Reunion

2005

Alumni Class Senators

Spencer Lovejoy, slovejoy424@gmail.com

Will Stone, william.l.stone12@gmail.com

Pete Valhouli-Farb, pvalhoulifarb@gmail.com

Patrick Mara and his wife, Katie, celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Riley Elizabeth Mara, on October 7, 2023. Riley was born weighing an even 7 lbs. David Oxnard and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their second daughter on October 5, 2023. Liesel Mary Oxnard joined their family at 1:23 a.m. Big sister Ingrid, age 2, is especially excited to have a new playmate. Joe Shapiro’s wife, Jane, gave birth to Rory Joseph Shapiro on May 31, 2023. Congratulations to all!

2006

Alumni Class Senators

Tyler Davis, davist.boston@gmail.com

Luke Eddy, luke.a.eddy@gmail.com

Colin Beckwitt and his fiancée,Carly Dibas, were married on July 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. Following the ceremony, guests adjourned for cocktails in the Tropical Forest Conservatory at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, followed by dinner and dancing.

2007

Alumni Class Senator

Will Joumas, wbjoumas@gmail.com

Will Joumas married his fiancée,Kate Wincek, on September 9, 2023, at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, CT. Thewedding took place outdoors under the beautiful evening skies. Tim Fay married Beth Barnard on September 3, 2022. It was great to meet Beth at our recent Boston Five Iron event!

2008

Juan Rojo and his wife, Brielle Donovan, have exciting news to share. Sophia Jane Rojo entered the world at 4:35 a.m. on October 2, 2023—a week behind schedule— weighing 7 lb. 7oz. and measuring 20.5 inches. Congratulations, Juan and Brielle!

2009 Reunion

Alumni Class Senators and Reunion Volunteers

Sam Doran, saminthenewsroom@gmail.com Thacher Hoch, thachmo94@comcast.net

Nick Stewart proposed to Alex Cameron during a trip to Mexico in October 2023. Th answer was “Yes!” Nick Weigel graduated from Harvard Law School in June 2023. In September, he moved to Washington, DC, to work at Morrison Foerster in their national security practice group (sanctions and export control compliance, cybersecurity, etc.). Nick wrote to Jim Carter ’54, “Theplan is to work there for a few years and then enter government service. Your Middle East class sparked an interest in international affairs,though these days it is all China and Russia.”

Dave Oxnard ’05 with wife, Andrea, big sister Ingrid, and baby Liesel

Sophia Jane Rojo, daughter of Juan ’08

Topher Bevis ’02 with wife, Sarah, and newborn daughter Cooper Jean

Patrick Mara ’05 with wife, Katie, and daughter, Riley Elizabeth

Jimmy Hall ’01 brought the Fenn spirit on a recent trip to remote Easter Island.

Juan Rojo ’08 with newborn baby Sophia Jane

2010

Alumni Class Senators

Drew Coash, drewtcoash@gmail.com

Will Crowley, crowleywi@gmail.com

Gabe Lekorenos-Arnold, gabelekorenos@gmail.com

2011

Alumni Class Senator

Nate Sintros, nathaniel1756@gmail.com

On September 3, Hunter Moskowitz married Zoe Kamil. Hunter is a doctoral candidate in World History at Northeastern. His dissertation focuses on the movement of labor and technology in the early 19th century textile industry in mill communities such as Lowell, MA, Monterrey, Nuevo León, and Concord, NC, and how these shaped global understandings of race.

2012

Scott Correia moved back to New England. He is working out of the Boston offic of Accenture, where he is a data science consultant. Afterapprenticing as a Fenn Fellow in 2020-2021, Jack Gustavson is a 1st grade teacher at ThePotomac School in McLean,VA.

2014 Reunion

Reunion Volunteers

Chad Arle, chad.w.arle@gmail.com

Andrew Brown, abrown1081@gmail.com

Alumni Class Senator

Chad Arle, chad.w.arle@gmail.com

Tom Kaye was a finalistin the 2023 John Lennon Song Contest under the electronic dance music category and is now working to get cuts with well-established EDM artists. Find Tom’s song at https://jlsc.com/ winners/2023a/finalists.php.

2015

Alumni Class Senators

Walker Davey, daveywa@bc.edu

Ben Zide, benjaminzide@gmail.com

James Correia graduated from Bucknell University in 2023 with a major in computer science and minors in mathematics and studio arts. James is a softwar engineer at TJX Companies. Owen Gund graduated from Boston University this past year with a B.A. in journalism. He is the director of communications and broadcasting for the South Carolina Stingrays. Sammy Hankaoui received

his masters in business administration from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in December 2023. He also earned his undergraduate degree from WPI, majoring in biomedical engineering. Sammy is working at CRISPR Therapeuticson cell and gene therapies.

2016

Alumni Class Senators

William Locke, wlocke2000@comcast.net

Tad Scheibe, scheibetm@gmail.com

Ben Winters graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a joint major in economics and history. He is living in the Boston area and working as a customer relationship advocate for Fidelity Investments.

2017

Alumni Class Senator

Nico Bowden, nicobowden@gmail.com

Inspired by their love of craftbeverages and a desire to create a drink that brings people together, Fenn classmates and life-long friends Ben Carbeau, Ollie Cheever, Harrison Hill, and Peter Nelson created Cape Tide Hard Tea. Learn more on page 60!

Daniel Kramer ’14

Newlyweds Hunter Moskowitz ’11 and Zoe Kamil

Tom Kaye ’14

Sammy Hankaoui ’15 receives his master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2018

Alumni Class Senators

Sammy Agrawal, samart.agr@gmail.com

Sam Remondi, slremondi@gmail.com

Max Toomey is a sophomore at Colby College studying economics and history. He is also a linebacker on the Colby football team, recently finishinghis second season.

2019 Reunion

Alumni Class Senators

Adam Ewing, adamrewing@comcast.net

Noah Lippa, njlippa@gmail.com

Ishan Narra, ishannarra@yahoo.com

Tyler Bowden is attending the University of Southern California. Rylan Chandler graduated from Westford Academy in 2023 and is a legal studies major at the University of Miami. Rylan is a member of American Mensa. Aftergraduating from Loomis Chaffeelast spring, Andrew Heinze headed to Middlebury College, where he is on the hockey team. Conor MacLean is in his firstyear at Elon University in North Carolina.

2020

Alumni Class Senator

Theo Randall, theorandall118@gmail.com

Marcos Braceras, a student at University of Notre Dame, values his Fenn education, writing “Thankyou for everything Fenn did to prepare me for high school and beyond!” Malcolm Clark has committed to run track and fieldfor the University of Massachusetts — Amherst. Benjamin Doty is enrolled in the Bryant-Villanova “3+3” program, where he will complete his Bryant College undergraduate requirements and then enroll in Villanova Law. Nick Frumkin is class of 2027 at Harvard University. Liam Mulcahy is a psychology major and elementary education minor at Providence College. Tom Murdough will be heading to Rutgers University next fall. He has earned impressive golf successes, leading Mass Golf to victory in the 2023 New England Junior Open, finishingsixth

Malcolm Clark ’20 commits to UMass Track and FieldTom Murdough ’20 commits to Rutgers

Harry Nerrow ’21, Sean Trudeau ’21, Cooper Balfour ’23, and Myles Alternative ’24 helped Concord-Carlisle High School soccer team win the 2023 MIAA Division 1 State Championship

Rivers wins NEPSAC Bob Souza Bowl over Pingree School

Cape Tide Hard Tea on the Rise

Four Fenn friends continue to create lifelong memories with their latest business endeavor in the specialty beverage industry.

Friendships forged at Fenn during the countless hours, days, and months collaborating on class assignments, playing together on sports fields, and sharing the stage during music and drama performances endure long after classmates move on from Monument Street.

Alumni Ben Carbeau, Ollie Cheever, Harrison Hill, and Peter Nelson—all hailing from the class of 2017—share a lasting friendship, creating the perfect springboard for a business partnership that ultimately launched the beverage brand Cape Tide Hard Tea.

While Ollie and Harrison graduated after their eighth grade year, Ben and Peter remained at Fenn for their ninth grade year. The foursome could have easily drifted apart after parting ways, but that couldn’t have been further from the reality that unfolded as Fenn alumni.

“Despite all going to different high schools and colleges, we have still spent

every single break and vacation together,” said Ollie.

Each summer, the boys would reunite, often at Ollie’s family home on Cape Cod. There, they would enjoy the sunshine and even more so each other’s company. At one point, they decided to entertain themselves with a “brew your own beer” kit.

“[What we created] was pretty bad,” joked Ben, “but we really enjoyed working on it together so we kept tinkering around with different things.”

With the tremendous growth of craft beverages and breweries, the foursome decided to try their hand at creating a beverage that wasn’t abundantly available in the market: a hard iced tea made with

From L to R: Ollie Cheever, Ben Carbeau, Harrison Hill, and Peter Nelson

vodka and real fruit juice. After some trial and error, they landed on something that they thought could work.

Cape Tide Hard Tea officially launched on Memorial Day 2023, predominantly on Cape Cod. The friends were able to get it into the hands of 100 accounts during the initial launch, and that number has continued to grow. They describe the venture as a “fun learning experience.”

“It’s often said that if you go into business with people you’re close with, it can damage the friendship you have,” said Ben, “but we have put our friendship at the forefront of the business, which has created a strong and efficient team.”

During the process of bringing their product to market, the friends had fantastic conversations with numerous people in the industry, including some with Fenn connections. As newcomers to the space, the advice they received was incredibly beneficial to the fledgling beverage manufacturers.

Tom First, a co-founder of Nantucket Nectars, had two sons attend Fenn (Tim ’17 and Luke ’19) at the same time as Ben, Ollie, Harrison, and Peter. He was instrumental at the start of their business journey and continues to serve as their mentor today. Rob Todd ’83, founder of Allagash Brewing in Portland, ME, also guided the foursome.

“Rob has had so much success with Allagash,” remarked Ben. “Connecting with him was incredibly helpful to all of us. It goes to show that the Fenn community—both on and off campus—is always willing to help and support each other.”

Naming the beverage and building the brand was a particularly “fun, yet tedious, process” as they prepared to bring their product to market.

“We wanted a brand that was local and authentic to the Cape—a place that has meant so much to our friendship over the years,” shared Ben. “That’s what is at the very core of the brand. That is

what Cape Tide represents.”

While some decisions aren’t always the easiest, the foursome points to the opportunity to learn and grow as a team as a skill they first worked on honing during their time at Fenn.

During their later years in school, the boys played on the varsity soccer team coached by Bob Starensier (Star), Jason Rude, and Freemon Romero ’04. Ben fondly remembers his ninth grade season and he and Peter helping the team take home 1st place in the 2017 Eaglebrook Junior Soccer Tournament.

“That team was an early example of what can be accomplished when people work well together, and our coaches really played a role in that,” he remarked. “We worked really hard, but it was also a lot of fun. That sentiment is something we try to carry into our business now.”

The essence of Sua Sponte and the School’s four core values continue to play an equally vital role in their lives long after their Fenn years.

“Sua Sponte is ingrained in every Fenn boy,” said Ben. “You don’t think of it daily, but that mindset of taking initiative and pursuing what you’re passionate about is really what Sua Sponte represents when you graduate from Fenn.”

With their friendship and budding business intact, the four founders of Cape Tide Hard Tea are eager to grow their brand. They are looking to expand into Greater Boston and MetroWest this summer, while continuing to focus on the success of their sales on the South Shore. That success hasn’t gone to their heads, according to Ollie, as they understand how lucky they all are to be in this together and where it all started.

“There is something truly special about the friendships made at Fenn,” he remarked. “I’m so grateful to be able to do this full time with my best friends.”

“It’s often said that if you go into business with people you’re close with, it can damage the friendship you have, but we have put our friendship at the forefront of the business.”

— BEN CARBEAU

overall in the field.Afterwinning the 2022 Challenge Cup Invitational, Tom tied for third in the same event this year. Ryan Winters served as lacrosse team captain for Lincoln-Sudbury High School and was named All-American as well as Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastics. He is on the 2024 men’s lacrosse roster for Bowdoin College. Byron Woodman will graduate from Austin Prep this spring.

2021

Alumni Class Senators

Ryan Bettenhauser, rbettenhauser@icloud.com

Jack Doherty, Jackpdoherty17@gmail.com

Panha Sam, prksam33@gmai.com

Congratulations to Harry Nerrow, Sean Trudeau, Myles Alternative, and Cooper Balfour ’23, who all played for the Concord-Carlisle High School 2023 MIAA Division 1 State Champion soccer team. Congratulations also go out to Teddy Stiga (U18), Will Belle (U17) and Richard Gallant ’22 (U17) for making the USA Hockey National Development Team. We are excited to cheer you on! Last fall, Garrett Lanagan helped lead the Lawrence Academy football team to victory in the NEPSAC Kevin MacDonald Bowl with a 28-15 score over St. Paul’s School. Teddy Livens is headed to Holy Cross in the fall.

2022

Alumni Class Senators

Timmy Smith, timothymsmith108@gmail.com

Luke Waldeck, lukewaldeck@icloud.com

Lyle Waldeck, lylewaldeck10@gmail.com

Josh Brennan, Jack Doty, and Jackson Masters helped lead the Lawrence Academy football team to victory in the NEPSAC Kevin MacDonald Bowl with a 28-15 score over St. Paul’s School this past fall. Congratulations to Richard Gallant (U17) for making the USA Hockey National Development Team. He’s joined by Teddy Stiga ’21 (U18) and Will Belle ’21 (U17). Go Fenn! Classmates Alex Murdough and Gabe Fonte helped to secure a victory for The Rivers School football team over Pingree School with a commanding score of 42-20 in the NEPSAC Bob Souza Bowl. Gabe Silverman skied slalom for Concord Academy in the 2024 NEPSAC Alpine Skiing finals

2023

Alumni Class Senators

Lach McCaghren, lachlan@mccaghren.org

Tyler Wells, twellsie10@icloud.com

Jack Fahey helped lead the Lawrence Academy football team to victory in the NEPSAC Kevin MacDonald Bowl with a 28-15

score over St. Paul’s School this past fall. Congratulations to Cooper Balfour, who played for the CCHS 2023 MIAA Division 1 State Champion soccer team.

2024

Alumni Class Senator

Owen Beauvais, owenbeauvais@gmail.com

Congratulations to CCHS athlete Penn Boger (below) for securing third place and Most Pins/Least Time in February’s state wrestling tournament.

Lawrence Academy defeats St. Paul’s in NEPSAC Kevin MacDonald Bowl PHOTO: ADAM RICHINS

Penn Boger ’24 excels at state tournament

Trading Gold and Blue for the Red, White, and Blue

Three recent Fenn graduates continue to pursue their hockey dream after being selected to the U.S. National Hockey Team Development Program.

It is not unheard of for a Fenn alumnus to don the red, white and blue of a United States hockey jersey, with Ian Moore ’17 most recently representing his country in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Tournament. It is, however, fairly unprecedented to have three alumni from the same middle school represent the United States at the same time. This happens to be the case for the Fenn School this year.

Will Belle ’21, Teddy Stiga ’21, and Richard Gallant ’22 are all currently participating in the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP). Stiga is in his second year of the program and playing on the U18 Team. He has racked up 37 goals and 34 assists in 91 total games played over his two seasons. Belle and Gallant are both in their first year and playing on the U17 Team. Belle has tallied 7 goals and 6 assists in 40 games, while Gallant has added 3 goals and 10 assists in 28 games played. (Stats were last collected on February 26, 2024.) Belle and Stiga were linemates during Fenn’s 2019-20 season, in which the

team finished with an undefeated record. Coach Jeff LaPlante isn’t surprised to see how far they’ve come as they play for the NTDP. “Teddy played winger and scored a lot of goals during his two years of Fenn hockey, while Will was a play-maker and a huge defensive asset, playing center and logging a lot of minutes each game,” LaPlante fondly remembered. “It’s very rewarding to see them both take their game to the next level for USA Hockey.”

Gallant missed out on the opportunity to play for Fenn due to the pandemic and the eventual cancellation of the 2021-22 season. “I know how skilled Richard was as a skater and play-maker, and I would have loved to have coached him at Fenn,” said LaPlante. “His achievement in making the NTDP is truly great to see.”

Fenn participates in a very competitive junior prep school league, giving hockey players the opportunity to play with their classmates and for their school. Many of Fenn’s players, like Belle (Shattuck St. Mary’s), Stiga (Belmont Hill), and Gallant (St. Mark’s), go on to play in outstanding public and private

high school hockey programs. All three of the young men are also committed to play D1 college hockey following their time in the development program (Belle – Notre Dame, Stiga – Boston College, Gallant – Harvard), like so many Fenn alumni before them.

“We are proud of Teddy, Will, and Richard as Fenn alumni and of what they are accomplishing as athletes in the NTDP,” remarked Head of School Derek Boonisar. “They are playing at arguably the highest level of hockey in the country for boys their age. They bought into our mission and philosophy when they were enrolled at Fenn and surely still carry with them the valuable life lessons and habits of mind and body that we emphasize as they compete for the country, take their game to an even higher level, and develop into men.”

We look forward to following their progress with pride and anticipation in the coming years and wish them “luck in the halls” as they move on to the next level of their hockey career.

“They are playing at arguably the highest level of hockey in the country for boys their age.”

– DEREK BOONISAR, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Will Belle ’21

Teddy Stiga ’21

Richard Gallant ’22

in memoriam

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families of these Fenn graduates, former trustees, faculty and staff members, relatives, and friends of The Fenn School.

Robert D. Asher

October 23, 2023

Father of Tom Asher ’79

Alice Talcott Bennet

October 22, 2023

Mother of Stiles Bennet ’78 and Pratt Bennet ’80

Don C. Bienfang

December 9, 2023

Father of Matt Bienfang ’84 and Josh Bienfang ’86

David E. Brook

September 18, 2023

Father of Stephen Brook ’85 and Kendall Brook ’88

Frederick S. Carr, Jr.

July 11, 2023

Father of Nat Carr ’97 and George Carr ’00

Uncle of Nick Carr ’00 and Ian Carr ’05

Donald J. Castor

Fenn Staff1963-2016

July 14, 2023

Helen T. Clarke

February 4, 2024

Mother of John Clarke ’81

Thomas W. Courtney

August 22, 2023

Father of Peter Courtney ’76 and Tom Courtney ’79

William DeFord, Jr. ’51

March 20, 2023

Marie T. Dempsey

January 21, 2024

Mother of Jack Dempsey ’73

Paula B. Fiore

May 20, 2023

Mother of Peter DeRosa ’88

William H. Farnham, Jr.

Fenn Trustee 1977-1983

November 16, 2023

Father of Chip Farnham ’77, Bob Farnham ’80, and Ted Farnham ’85

Ralph A. “Andy” Fletcher, Jr. ’39

January 6, 2024

Brother of Kennard Fletcher ’46

Father of Andy Fletcher ’64, Bob Fletcher ’65, and Henry Fletcher ’74

Uncle of Christian Fletcher ’81 and SteffenFletcher ’84

Robert L. Fletcher ’65

January 7, 2024

Brother of Andy Fletcher ’64 and Henry Fletcher ’74; Uncle of Christian Fletcher ’81 and SteffenFletcher ’84

Michael A. Foley

June 21, 2023

Father of Nick Foley ’05 and Tom Foley ’08

Barbara Bickford Harding Fenn Staff1972-1974

February 26, 2024

Winthrop D. “Don” Hodges, Jr. ’46

April 9, 2023

Samuel R. Jewell ’51

March 4, 2024

Brother of Pliny Jewell ’45

Uncle of PJ Jewell ’77

Kerry A. Johnson

August 9, 2023

Mother of Owen Johnson ’16 and Tyler Johnson ’20

Kenneth W. Marriner, Jr. ’45

August 26, 2022

Brother of Tom Marriner ’46 and John Marriner ’55

Vincent J. Mullarkey

Fenn Trustee 1997-2003

June 6, 2023

Father of Brian Mullarkey ’05

J. Nicholas Noyes Fenn Faculty 1965-1969

February 16, 2023

Donald K. Partridge

December 6, 1972

Father of Brian Partridge ’07

James P. Penhune ’75

November 1, 2023

Audrey R. Reith

March 3, 2024

Mother of Eric Hustvedt ’93 and Marc Hustvedt ’94

William C. Reynolds ’11

October 1, 2023

Kai Rogers

Fenn and Summer Fenn Staff 2016-2023

January 24, 2024

Michael P. Salvatore

Fenn Faculty 1996-2001, 2004-2024

February 5, 2024

William H. Sumner, Jr. ’57

December 14, 2022

Marshall L. Tobins

December 16, 2023

Father of Mike Tobins ’91

Francis X. “Rusty” Van Houten Fenn Trustee 1980-1983

April 30, 2023

Father of Paul Van Houten ’81 and Scott Van Houten ’83

Grandfather of Turner Van Houten ’24

Tom Weber

September 3, 2023

Father of Todd Weber ’89 and Chuck Weber ’91

Arthur Withington ’47

February 19, 2023

Celebrating the Life of Mike Salvatore

On Monday, February 5, the Fenn community lost dear friend and admired faculty member Mike Salvatore aftera 10-year battle with cancer. Mike’s mischievous smile, brilliant humor, never-ending optimism, and true passion for music and fostering a love for it in others will long be remembered by decades of Fenn colleagues, students, alumni, and families.

In early February, Mike was due to be honored for a phenomenal 25 years at Fenn as a music teacher, Choral Director of the Treble Chorus, and Assistant Chair and later Chair of the Arts Department. He respectfully declined to participate remotely, remarking with his customary wit: “I always want to leave them wanting more.” Surely you have, Mike… surely you have.

In a touching service of remembrance on Saturday, February 24, at the First Parish Congregational Church in his hometown of Wakefield,MA, throngs of Fenn community members gathered with Mike’s family and friends from near and far to celebrate the beautiful life that Mike had shared with wife Amy, daughter Helen, and all who had been blessed by his love and friendship. Stunning music, tributes from heart wrenching to humorous, and the sharing of the fondest memories of Mike made for a most extraordinary day of remembrance.

To view Mike’s obituary, the Celebration of Life service bulletin, a streaming archive of the service, and a photo album compiled by the Salvatore family, please visit: https://www.emmanuelwakefield.org/salvatore.

An Invitation to Share Photos and Memories

A future FENN magazine will celebrate Mike’s tenure at the School and impact on the Fenn community. We invite your photos and memories at news@fenn.org to contribute to this tribute. Thank you to all Fenn community members who previously shared messages of remembrance. All contributions are appreciated.

The Fenn School

516 Monument Street Concord, Massachusetts 01742-1894

Parents of Alumni

If this publication is addressed to your son, and he no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the alumni officof his new mailing address (978-318-3525 or aboudreau@fenn.org). Thankyou!

In honor of Fenn’s visionary founder and first Head of School, Roger Fenn, we invited members of the community to join

Fenn’s Day of Giving

and celebrate Roger’s birthday on April 19 by making a gift to Fenn’s Annual Fund and supporting the school we love so much.

Donations still welcome at fenn.org/givingday2024 or with QR code at right