The Avonian, Fall 2016

FALL 2016

Men Who Honor Service Inside: AVO N ’S N E W VE T E RANS T R IB U T E and T H E M E N O F AVON WHO HAVE AN S W E R E D T H E CAL L OF DUT Y

AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL Established 1927 Headmaster Kenneth H. LaRocque

Associate Headmaster John T. Gardner

Editor Morgan C. Cugell

Designer 2k Design www.2kDesign.com

Alumni Notes Lizabeth Abramson

Printer Benchemark Printing, Inc., Schenectady

Contributors Thanks to everyone who contributed to this magazine. Special thanks to Liz Abramson, Seshu Badrinath, Jim Detora, Bob Dully, Kristen Kerwin, Ken LaRocque, Alexis Lee, Anne Raftery, and Jacqueline Sembor.

The Avonian is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Avon Old Farms School. It is distributed to approximately 8,000 readers.

All rights reserved.

Avon Old Farms School 500 Old Farms Road Avon, CT 06001 www.avonoldfarms.com (860) 404-4100

Admissions (800) 464-2866 admissions@avonoldfarms.com

Alumni We enjoy hearing from you!

Please send us your latest news and notes: Email: abramsonl@avonoldfarms.com Phone: (860) 404-4268 Fax: (860) 404-4631

Email Members of the administration and faculty can be emailed by using the following formula: last name + first initial @avonoldfarms.com. The directory on the school website also includes email links.

Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

FEATURES

FROM THE EDITOR…

15 Men Who Honor Service

by Morgan C. Cugell

Dear Readers,

48 The Last Word: A Home for Blinded Veterans

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SPOTLIGHTS

10 Athletic Spotlight: Max Gonzalez ’17

by Morgan C. Cugell 24 Faculty Focus: John Bourgault ’80

by Morgan C. Cugell 26 Student Spotlight: Kevin Sieber ’17

by Morgan C. Cugell

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28 Alumni Spotlight: Jamie Hayes ’88

by Morgan C. Cugell DEPARTMENTS

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2 Headmaster 4 Village Green 10 Athletics 30 Class Notes 44 Avon on the Move

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Cover: Major John Bourgault ’80 (USMC retired).

Photo illustration by Seshu Photography.

Find past issues of the Avonian online at www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian

Are you following us? /AvonOldFarms @AvonOldFarms

Service has long been one of the pillars of Avon Old Farms School. From the farm work of the founder’s era, and the days when the school was closed to serve as a rehabilitation hospital for blinded veterans, to the present day era of Avon Outreach, men of Avon are, and always have been, men who honor service: in the community, among their peers, and, eventually, as professionals and family men. Still others devote their lives to tirelessly serving their countries, and this issue of the Avonian introduces readers to many remarkable military servicemen—students, alumni, and faculty members—whose fierce passion and tireless dedication give life to the words of our mission statement, which promises to cultivate men who honor service. Their remarkable example is inspiring: on Veterans Day, we unveiled a memorial tribute on campus, permanently preserving their legacies.

See page 22 for more details.

This issue offers an inside look at the busy and exciting opening days of school, and introduces you to Warden Kevin Sieber ’17 and new head varsity soccer coach, Joe Martinez. We also catch up with some familiar faces: Will White ’13 and Wilson Meyer ’13, currently seniors at the United States Military Academy at West Point, as well as Ollie Rothmann ’11, who returns to Avon as an associate director of admission. And don’t miss an interview with the Major: Major John Bourgault ’80 (USMC retired) is this issue’s faculty focus.

Be on the lookout this February for the Village Green to take a peek inside our village as we deck the halls.

As always, I welcome your feedback.

Aspirando et perseverando, Morgan C. Cugell cugellm@avonoldfarms.com 860-404-4239

/AvonOldFarmsSchool Search Group: Avon Old Farms School Alumni Association

Cert no. SW-COC-002935

From the Headmaster

by Kenneth H. LaRocque

Greetings,

“Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as best he can, the same cause.” —Abraham Lincoln, December 2, 1863 This quote is inscribed on the two benches that sit on our new Veterans Tribute overlooking Carriuolo Field. We dedicated this patio on November 11 of this year, Veterans Day, a day that Avon Old Farms recognizes appropriately each year. With our entire student body and faculty present, along with members of our National Council and other invited guests, we officially dedicated this patio honoring those Avonians who served their country.

Avon Old Farms has always recognized the value of service. In fact, our school closed between 1944 and 1948 when it served as an adjunct of a military hospital and was home to some 800 veterans blinded while fighting in World War II. Through the care of dedicated doctors, nurses, and

volunteers, these young men, during their stay at Avon, learned the skills necessary to cope with their adversity and transition back to society.

Over the years, different Avon faculty and alumni have distinguished themselves in the military, and some made the ultimate sacrifice.

Major General Oscar Cauldwell USMC fought in both World War I and World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his efforts, especially for his leadership and bravery in the Pacific Theater and the battle for the island of Bougainville. Major General Cauldwell taught at Avon from 1948, when we reopened as a school, through most of the 1950s and presided over an R.O.T.C. program on campus for several years. Alumni returning for their reunions often remember Major General Cauldwell during our Saturday morning memorial service in our chapel and the important impact he made on them.

“Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as best he can, the same cause.”

— A B R A H A M L I N C O L N , D E C E M B E R 2 , 18 6 3

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FRO M THE HE A DMA S TE R

Pete Hart ’36 fought for five years in WW II, working with the French Underground, and was honored with the highest award that France bestows on a non-French citizen, the Legion of Honor, for his bravery and contributions in carrying out sabotage operations against the Nazis. Upon his return home in 1946, Pete enlisted in the Army Reserves and served for 33 years, retiring with the rank of colonel.

John Gillespie McGee ’40, the poet pilot, declined a scholarship to Yale University to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He died in a training mission in England while flying a Spitfire aircraft. John penned the poem “High Flight” prior to his demise. It has become the official poem of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and all fourthclass cadets (first-year students) at the United States Air Force Academy are required to recite it from memory. It was also cited by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 during his televised speech to the country addressing the Challenger tragedy and is an epitaph on the gravestones of many pilots in Arlington National Cemetery.

In March of 2011, Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel ’02 (West Point class of 2006) lost his life in the service of our country while serving as detachment commander of a Green Beret Special Forces team in eastern Afghanistan. Andrew, or PK as he was known to his family and friends, exemplified duty, honor, and country throughout his life. Diogenes room #301 was dedicated to PK on Veterans Day 2014 at a ceremony in the Susan Casey Brown Auditorium, at which West Point cadets Wilson Meyer ’13, Will White ’13, and Jason Lalley ’11 were present, as well as PK’s parents, our faculty and student

body, and other invited guests.

Last year, in a graduating class of 116 young men, three Avonians matriculated to the United States Military Academy at West Point, one matriculated at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, one matriculated at the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, and one matriculated at the United States Naval Academy Prep School. Avon Old Farms is proud that several graduates earn an appointment to military academies each year and that they flourish as soldiers and scholars while serving our country.

In this issue of the Avonian, we spend time honoring Avon alumni and other members of our school family who served our country in a time of need. The freedom we enjoy to live and learn on this beautiful campus exists because of the sacrifice of the brave men and women who fought to secure it. Let us not forget.

–Aspirando et perseverando!

We’d like to hear from you!

Do you have any special Avon anecdotes?

Memories of your time at the Farm?

Please send in any thoughts on your Avon experience for possible inclusion in future publications.

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Village Green The Water Tower Reimagined Tech of the Future Has Arrived

T

he Forge, the Chapel, and the Water Tower— collectively known on campus as the Farm Group—are icons of Avon Old Farms School, original works of architectural design and the genius of Theodate Pope Riddle. Jim Detora, director of development and external affairs and an engineer by trade, saw the space as an opportunity to build out Avon’s science and engineering program, allowing the timeless structures to also meet the needs of a modernized curriculum.

“We needed a space for engineering, and the Forge was a natural fit, given

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its history,” said Detora. “We started thinking about the project last March and began work last summer. The Forge was up and running for the 2015–2016 academic year. This summer, our talented staff was able to re-envision the Water Tower as a state-of-the-art computer lab, complete with 14 dualboot work stations.”

Detora continued, saying that the newly renovated space will provide a multitude of opportunities to the growing engineering and computer science classes.

“This space is all inclusive now and will allow us to offer more specific classes that our students are interested in,” he

said. “Our goal has always been to build and support programs that our boys want, and this is a prime example of meeting that goal.”

In addition to the engineering classes, the space will also be utilized by programmers, the robotics team, digital arts classes, and Club Forge, a newly established club that built its own 3D printer last spring.

“I am extremely excited to see our students take advantage of the new space,” continued Detora. “We have such a talented pool of Avonians on our campus—all they need are the tools to let their visions become reality.”

Village Green

In November 2015, the Edward E. Ford Foundation awarded Avon a $50,000 matching grant for this project.

This grant was matched by a generous gift from the Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation and by a gift from the Teel’s Marsh Foundation. In addition to these generous donors, in January 2016, the Robert and Carolyn Volk family made an unrestricted gift to Avon. To honor their generosity, the Volks will have the opportunity to name this S.T.E.M. lab in Avon’s new Center for Robotics and Engineering.

Opening Days The opening days of school are always a time of excitement, anticipation, and maybe even a few nerves. Students and faculty alike are welcomed back to campus with the thrill of possibility—and plenty of opportunities to bring the brotherhood back together. From unpacking and setting up dorm rooms and taking off on class bonding trips such as bowling and river rafting to the first closed weekend of the year culminating in an all-school field day, the opening days set an auspicious tone for a memorable year to come.

TheThe Avonian Avonian Spring Fall 2010 2016

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Village Green

Sandbars to Summits: Hunter Marshall ’18 Experiences Woodwell Leadership Award Outward Bound Trip

N

ow in its 15th year, the Woodwell Leadership Award is presented to a rising junior who demonstrates leadership potential and a desire to give back to the Avon community. The award grants him the opportunity to attend an Outward Bound course of his choosing. This summer, recipient Hunter Marshall ’18 traveled to Oregon, an experience he described as an inspiring trip that forced him to reflect on a world full of people who were hustling by too quickly to take note of their surroundings.

“I flew to Oregon alone to meet up with a group of seven other high school students and our instructors and spent the next 15 days rafting down the Deschutes River and hiking the back of a mountain called Three-Fingered Jack,” said Marshall. “It was exciting, it was scary, and it was eye-opening. I highly recommend it.”

Marshall spent the first six days rafting 97 miles down the river, which at one point was so grueling that it took the group three hours to complete five miles of their journey. In tough times, such as the rafting adventure,

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and during the 7,844-foot hike up a mountain, Marshall gained mental strength by recalling the leadershipdeveloping intentions of the outing.

“I’m a talker, and I love to socialize, but this trip made me notice that some people are more reserved and are comfortable staying quiet,” said Marshall.

“During the hike, we all participated in a 36-hour period of self-reflection. I thought about soccer and where I might want to go to college. I thought a lot about silence, and wondered about the quieter members of our group.”

After the time in quiet isolation, Marshall and the other group members once again came together. Marshall, noting that one of the quiet members was homesick, decided to test himself by staying quiet for a whole day, hoping that his taking a step back might encourage the other student to take a step up and share his thoughts with the group.

“It worked,” said Marshall. “I did notice that he was talking and sharing more. He just needed the space to allow himself to open up. And I was glad I could recognize that and give him the room he needed to feel comfortable to share.”

Marshall shared that he had to

reach deep to overcome his terrifying fear of falling while scaling the summit in order for his group to succeed. He hopes that these life lessons learned in the wilderness of Oregon can translate into the classrooms of Avon Old Farms School and onto the athletic fields as well.

“I hope to become captain of the soccer team when I’m a senior, but that process starts now,” shared Marshall. “I hope I can begin to work as a leader on the field this year and gain the respect of my teammates so next year we can be an even stronger team.”

In the fall of 2001, the Woodwell Leadership Award was established by Al O’Connor ’75 in memory of his fellow classmate and friend, Richard “Woody” Woodwell ’75, who lost his life in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

Catching up with…

Ollie Rothmann ’11

As

the Warden of the student body and leader of the Class of 2011, Ollie Rothmann graduated from Avon Old Farms School knowing what it felt like to be surrounded by a supportive community.

An Order of Old Farms recipient and a winner of the distinguished F. Reed Estabrook Jr. award, Rothmann thrived in the small, tight-knit community. When he matriculated at Trinity College, where he studied English literature, the transition to the “small fish” took some time.

“It took me quite a while to adjust to a place where people did not know me and where I did not know everyone,” he recalls. Rothmann spent his junior year studying abroad in England, and there he found the support he was seeking. “I attended Worcester College at Oxford University. My college was one of 28 that make up the university as a whole. My college was actually a lot like Avon,” he explains. “There were a total of 450 students.

“I felt at home in England, despite my cultural immersion in a new land,” he continues. My year spent in Oxford allowed me to come out of my shell and to finally be comfortable in the ‘real world’ after Avon.

Rothmann brought that newfound comfort level into his senior year at Trinity. He co-founded the Trinity College Recreational Department, a marketing group that aids the college’s sports teams in promoting their games and events with various marketing and advertising strategies. Rothmann graduated from Trinity with a 3.9 GPA as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude societies.

After searching nationwide for a position in advertising or marketing, Rothmann reached out to former dean for enrollment and external affairs Brendon Welker ’91 to see if he could help connect Rothmann with alumni who might offer advice or, potentially, a

“You will be hard-pressed to find a community as diverse and as tightly knit as the one here at Avon. We need more of this kind of community feel in the world these days, and I hope that our boys graduate from here with the same virtues that hold our community together: tolerance, responsibility, respect, and integrity.” job. Welker reached out this past summer with news of a job opening; Rothmann interviewed less than 24 hours later and got the job. “Returning to campus was never on my radar in terms of possible employment opportunities,” he explains, “but through the power of networking and through the power of the Avon Brotherhood, the job found me.”

As an associate director of admissions, Rothmann is tasked with touring and interviewing students and participating in the tough work of selecting the best students for enrollment at Avon Old Farms.

He is also frequently a part of the communications task force, working on advertising and marketing for targeting prospective families as well as managing some of Avon’s social media, to reach both prospective and alumni families.

“On some days I may have as many as four tours and interviews, and I am constantly speaking and walking and observing how a prospective student carries himself on our campus,” he states.

“I love talking to families and telling them about all that AOF has to offer,” says Rothmann. “So many students participate in some form of athletics

and some form of arts. Like our faculty, our boys wear many different caps, too. Showing families that we are a multidimensional institution and seeing their responses is always pretty cool.”

Rothmann is quick to point out that the work of “selling” the school to prospective families comes pretty naturally to him, now that he has seen it through two different lenses. “Regardless of my status as a student or as a faculty member, what has been most rewarding to me is the community of individuals from all different areas of the world, with all different religious and cultural beliefs and all different talents. You will be hard-pressed to find a community as diverse and as tightly knit as the one here at Avon. We need more of this kind of community feel in the world these days, and I hope that our boys graduate from here with the same virtues that hold our community together: tolerance, responsibility, respect, and integrity.

“I love watching how our boys navigate their lives here,” Rothmann says. Everyone constructs his own path to success at Avon. With all the opportunities on offer, there are no two roads to success that are parallel.”

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Village Green

The Visiting Author Program US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Jason C. Redman Visits Avon

F

riday, September 23, 2016, was an exciting day at Avon Old Farms as our community welcomed decorated US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Jason C. Redman, author of Avon’s required summer reading The Trident.

Jason Redman is a former lieutenant who spent 11 years as an enlisted Navy SEAL and almost ten years as a SEAL officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious

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Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, five Navy Achievement Medals, and two Combat Action Ribbons. After being severely wounded in Iraq in 2007, Redman returned to active duty before ultimately retiring in 2013. He is the founder of Wounded Wear, a nonprofit corporation that helps warriors rediscover the hero within through clothing, events, and opportunities. He also shared his motivational story of leadership with audiences across the country.

Redman’s day at Avon started with an early workout with the 5:45 Club.

He then met with several classes to take student questions in small groups before addressing the entire community in the Brown Auditorium. In each setting, Redman spoke the language of the men of Avon: his hard-fought lessons were of persevering through adversity, setting goals and always aspiring to reach them, loving your brothers, working with them as a team, and leading them always.

“Live greatly, lead always, and overcome all.”

—Jason Redman

“We want to expose our boys to literature that talks about leadership, about the pitfalls you must overcome in order to grow, and how those who struggle are often the best leaders,” said Trevor Stern, English department chair. “Learning to put aside your ego sometimes is a hard lesson to learn, but it is one that pays off. I think our boys really heard that message and admire Jason Redman for sharing it with them.”

Stern has made an effort to choose books and authors with story lines that

tie into the school’s motto of aspiring and persevering, and Redman’s was a hit. Students stayed after class to ask serious questions about life, leadership, and how to be better men.

After the all-school presentation, Redman ate lunch with students in the refectory and signed copies of his book in Baxter Library.

The Visiting Author Program at Avon Old Farms School is in its 16th year.

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Max Gonzalez ’17

By Morgan C. Cugell

D

escribed by one of his coaches as the “heartbeat of our team,” Max Gonzalez ’17 is not only a captain of the varsity soccer team, but also one of the hardest workers on campus—on the field and off.

As a three-year student from Tolland, Conn., Gonzalez arrived on campus his sophomore year. He quickly found the academic transition to be tough but relied on the support of the Avon community to become an honor roll student. “The people here helped guide me in the right direction, and soon I was earning academic honors,” he recalls. “The sheer gratitude I have for the people who have helped me so far is amazing. I can’t thank them enough for shaping me into a young scholar.”

With his academics under control, Gonzalez began to get more involved on campus. He is currently the head monitor in Elephant 2 Dormitory and a member of Avon Outreach, the community service club.

It is as a Winged Beaver, however, where his passions are most evident. Also a captain of the varsity wrestling team and a member of the varsity lacrosse team, Gonzalez was awarded the Jennings Cup last year, given to the top athlete in the junior class. In his free time, he volunteers with the Special Olypmics basketball initiative on campus.

“I enjoy making others happy, especially people who really need it,” he states.

For all that he has given back to the community and to his fellow Winged Beavers, Gonzalez feels grateful for what the school—and the athletic program—have given him.

“Being a Winged Beaver is a privilege, no matter what level you play on,” he notes. “Every time I get the opportunity to represent the school and compete with my brothers is a new chance to bring our school to unprecedented levels of achievement. Just being part of a team gives me a sense of brotherhood and accomplishment—playing alongside your teammates, winning and losing together.” The victories, of course, are that much sweeter when shared among brothers, such as when Gonzalez and the rest of the varsity soccer team

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defeated the Hotchkiss School earlier this season, the first time Avon had bested the Bearcats in seven years. “That day, we proved to everyone that we belonged. After the win, we went back to the locker room, and I sat down and kept reliving that game over and over in my head. I looked up at my teammates, and I could do was smile.

“I think that sports are more than just winning and losing,” Gonzalez observes. “It’s about being the best you that you can be that day and supporting your teammates. Being a part of a team is so unique. Everyone is different, but you can come together and compete with one another and have fun doing it.

The relationships that happen on the field are unbreakable.”

Off the field, Gonzalez has made a commitment to use his experiences for the better and credits Avon with helping him find that attitude.

“I decided from the get-go that I was going to take advantage of every opportunity that this school provided for me,” Gonzalez explains. “This school has shaped me into a responsible young man. I’ve learned how to manage my time and execute my abilities to the fullest. It has taught me to be humble and understanding as well as be respectful and patient.

It has even changed how I act outside of school, with little things like helping out around the house, collecting clothes for the less fortunate, or helping my brothers out with whatever they need, whenever they need it. I even got a job, working for the town of West Hartford. My life has greatly improved since coming here, and I am glad that I still have this year to improve myself even more.”

Coach’s Corner

By Joe Martinez My name is Joe Martinez, and here at Avon I teach English and economics, work in Pelican dorm, and coach soccer and basketball. I live on campus with my wife, Anna, and our dog, Ali. I am so excited to be the new head coach of the varsity soccer team.

I played soccer at Amherst College, and throughout my soccer journey I was fortunate to have strong coaches who positively influenced my development as a player and a person. It was my college soccer coach who told me about a nonprofit called Project Coach that offered fellowships to students pursuing graduate studies at Smith College.

I jumped at the opportunity to work with Project Coach, and as I pursued a master’s degree at Smith, I ran soccer clinics and literacy programming in Springfield, Mass., for Project Coach. After receiving my degree, I joined the Avon community. I was drawn to Avon’s interest in educating the whole boy; I truly believe that the lessons one learns as part of a team can be as powerful as the lessons learned in a classroom.

I ask the players on the varsity soccer team here at Avon to do two things: work harder than their opponents, and support one another in a positive way. To accomplish these goals, Coach Cugell, Coach Lee, and I design practices that are sometimes outside of the norm. We have jumped into ice baths before doing sprints and plyometric exercises in the Farmington River. We have done laps around the track while wearing resistance belts and weight vests. We’ve had our players take over film sessions to focus on our team’s strengths and weaknesses.

As coaches, our thesis is that when you work very hard as a team, the bonds that you form with teammates are very strong. We hope that by pushing players to their limits, it becomes easier for our players to truly buy in because they’ve committed real resources to that pursuit.

Our goal this year, and every year going forward, is to compete for a New England Championship. If you’re reading this and you have thoughts on how to reach our goal, please email me at martinezj@avonoldfarms.com.

Shoot-a-way! his fall, the varsity basketball team received a new shooting practice machine from the Pedro L. Vega Jr. Foundation. Pedro Vega ’12 passed away unexpectedly in December of 2013, just over a year after his graduation from AOF. His passion for basketball was evident to everyone around him on campus, and the Vega Foundation hopes to honor his legacy with the new automatic rebounding machine. One hundred percent of money raised through Vega Foundation events is given to Avon Old Farms School to enrich student experiences.

The Vega Foundation also funds the Pedro Vega Scholarship. To make a donation to the scholarship, please contact Pedro Vega at (860) 719-1138.

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by morgan c. cugell

Avon Old Farms School strives to be the best college preparatory school for boys by cultivating young men of integrity who honor wisdom, justice, inclusion, and the pursuit of truth.

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Men who Honor Service

ith its beginnings in World War II, the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital served over 800 returning veterans over its three-year existence and provided countless career opportunities to the soldiers. The Blinded Veterans Association, established there in 1945, now boasts over 11,000 members and meets at yearly conventions.

In giving vision-impaired United States veterans the best possible care and future opportunities, the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital raised the standards of excellence throughout the nation for standard of care for our veterans through the help of community support and volunteers.

“Therefore, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby officially proclaim November 22, 2009, as Old Farms Convalescent Hospital Day in the State of Connecticut.”

When Braille Was Basic “Two young men conversed as they moved into a dormitory at Avon Old Farms School. “Grab that trunk. Where is my typewriter?” “Which way do I go? Where are my hangers?”

“Ouch. What, no door there?” Sounds typical enough, except that the conversation was recorded more than 45 years ago by a blinded veteran of World War II. “The place was called Old Farms Convalescent Hospital (SP) then and there hundreds of veterans who had lost their sight from bombs or flying shrapnel were taught how to live in the world again. The snatch of dialogue above was contained in a chatty column written by one of the blinded veterans for Quadrangle Review, the hospitals fortnightly publication.” from When Braille Was Basic at Old Farms, kathleen mcgrath, 1982

“The blinded veterans were trained in navigation on the campus first, and eventually were taught how to get around in downtown Hartford. A model of the Old Farms campus sculpted in the woodworking class was the starting point for the veterans.

Once they knew how to find the classrooms, the soldiers had to spend a certain amount of time learning

Braille, typing, and basic skills like shaving and preparing food. They were prepared for jobs such as farming, business and carpentry.” from When Braille Was Basic

“When he arrives at Old Farms, the serviceman who has been blinded in combat is often still confused, sometimes embittered at the fate that sentenced him to a future of darkness, and concerned at the thought of becoming a possible burden to loved ones.

“In contrast is his attitude some four months later, when he ‘graduates’ from Old Farms. Cheerfulness has supplanted doubt; he has confidence in newly acquired knowledge that his training at Avon has equipped him to engage in work, responsibilities, recreation, social and family activities which had assumed were to be denied him.

“As he steps through the portals of Old Farms into the outer world, the blinded veteran of World War II does so with a firm tread, secure in the knowledge that within him lies all the training and ability he needs to resume the life of a useful citizen in his community.” from A Glimpse Into life at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital (SP), produced by the southern new england company

Sp otl ight on the National Council

“ High Flight ”

Don Monaco ’55

By John Gillespie Magee JR. ’40

1953, having just completed his sophomore year at Avon Old Farms School, Don Monaco ’55 unknowingly launched his flying career in spectacular style with a publicity stunt. The makers of the new Piper Tri-Pacer were looking for someone to learn to fly the airplane and actually solo, all in the same day. Monaco nailed it in two and a half hours. He went on to achieve flight instructor status at age 18; he was also the youngest person to earn his private and commercial pilot’s licenses. “I’ve been flying for more than half of the history of aviation,” Monaco muses.

As a student at Dartmouth, he established a fledgling flying club that soon flourished and continues to flourish more than five decades later. An ROTC candidate, he actually taught the navigation and meteorology courses he was supposed to be taking during his junior year. Upon graduation in 1959, Monaco served six years in the Air Force. He was the youngest combat commander in the Strategic Air Command during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, flying B-52s that carried nuclear warheads during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Back in the States, stationed in South Dakota, Monaco learned he was to be sent back to Vietnam for six months. A timely call from Pan American Airways completely changed his life’s direction, however. Instead of Vietnam, he found himself in San

Francisco, flying first 707s and later 747s to 117 countries. He also spent the better part of the 1980s making winter trips to Avon Old Farms School to teach a course in navigation.

Monaco retired in 1991 and has been an active alumnus as a member of the National Council and makes frequent trips back to campus. During this fall’s dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Tribute, Monaco recited a poem written by John Gillespie Magee Jr.’40, “High Flight,” the official poem of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Monaco notes that the poem truly reflects the feelings he too experienced while flying combat missions.

Monaco is a member of the National Council and a highly accomplished veteran of the Air Force, so it was fitting that he be included in the ceremony, held on Veterans Day. However, with trademark humility, Monaco observes that he has benefited from his contributions to the military and to Avon Old Farms School far more than he has given.

“I certainly served, but had only felt that it was my inherent duty to do so,” he remarks. “Where did that come from? Je ne sais pas. Perhaps from Junior ROTC at Avon, under General Caldwell? I told the Council members that I did not think that my work needed to be ‘memorialized.’ I felt that I got more out of those six years than I put in to them.

“But I think it is important for it to be on our campus for the young people to see what the graduates ahead of them have done for their countries,” he continues. “I think it is good for them to know that it happened—that our Avonians actually participated, not just unknown names. They are real people.

“It serves as a reminder of what’s gone before us, and what it takes to keep our freedom, our liberty, our country the way it is.

It’s not free. A lot of lives went in to it.” *editor’s note: portions of this article written by susan haile

Before John Gillespie Magee Jr. ’40 was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was a budding writer at Avon Old Farms School, even publishing a “handsome book of poems” while at Avon. He enlisted after his graduation from Avon in the spring of 1940.

He received his wings in the fall of 1941 at the age of 19; “High Flight” was written on September 3, 1941, and published in the Avonian on November 20 of that same year. Tragically, in December of 1941, Magee suffered a fatal midair collision during a pilot training mission.

Since Magee’s death, the poem’s status has been greatly elevated. Written as a paean to military pilots, the poem now appears in various air training schools and flying museums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. It has also been set to music, including one adaptation

by John Edward Turner of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. It is the official poem of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force and must be recited from memory by fourth-class cadets at the United States Air Force Academy, where it is displayed in the Cadet Field House.

The Avonian Fall 2016

17

Men who Honor Service

Like Father, Like Son: USMA at We st Point

Michael Symes ’81

and

Tucker Symes ’16

von Old Farms School has a storied tradition of sending exceptional young men to the service academies. Last year’s graduating class included Tucker Symes ’16, who followed in his father’s footsteps to the USMA at West Point.

Assistant Dean of Students Mike Symes ’81 couldn’t have been prouder—but admits he was surprised.

“Tucker’s decision to go to West Point was a shock to me,” Mike recalls. “I didn’t encourage it one bit.

He decided on his own his junior year. He did it all himself.”

“He never pressured me to go in to the military,” agrees Tucker. “He said it was always a decision each person has to come to themselves.”

Mike’s perspective has been a part of his life since childhood.

“Service was never pushed on me,” he notes. “It was always something I wanted to do. Since freshman year I wanted to go to West Point. As a sophomore at Avon, I told everyone I was going to West Point, and they started calling me the “General.” Avon provided the structure and the opportunity that developed me into a student athlete and that helped me achieve my goals. It was here at Avon that I worked hard in the classroom and trained hard on the field that prepared me for West Point and the army afterwards.”

Similarly, Tucker knew from an early age that he wanted to attend West Point, and he spent his time at Avon developing the academic, athletic, and leadership skills needed to accomplish his goal. An Order of Old Farms recipient, Tucker served as Vice Warden on the Student Council, co-president of the Big Brother/Little Brother program, president of the 5:45 Club, and captain of both the varsity lacrosse and VB hockey teams. He was a member of the Red Cross Club as well as the Nimrod Club and as a rising junior was honored with the Woodwell Leadership Award.

Beyond his success at a student at Avon, Tucker’s admission to West Point was undoubtedly due, in part, to the example his father set at home. Mike works hard to instill the value of service in both of his children as well as his students.

“Rules should be followed, and students should live their 18

Fall 2016 The Avonian

lives with integrity and a sense of duty,” he explains.

“I emphasize making good decisions and doing the right things so you can live a life that matters.

“I enforce the rules and preach all the time about making good decisions and doing the right things. Service is not for everyone. I try to develop a lifestyle with good habits. I wake up early, work out, eat right, get enough sleep, and get my work done. I try to inform students that hard work works well. There are no shortcuts. Living a life that matters takes hard work and discipline.”

As a student at Avon, Mike was a member of the Nimrod Club and Spirit Club and was a dormitory monitor for two years.

He earned the Earnest and Persistent Effort Award his sophomore year, an Academic Excellence Award his junior year, and the coveted Yale Book Prize his senior year. He was a three-sport varsity athlete in football, hockey, and lacrosse and received the Best Offensive Player Award his junior and senior year in hockey.

He was also the captain of the football team.

Mike matriculated at the United States Military Academy at West Point and played four years of hockey for the Black Knights. He was named captain his senior year and earned the Bukema Award and the Marchand Award. Mike finished his hockey career as the 13th highest scorer in army hockey history. Upon his 1985 graduation, Mike was commissioned a second lieutenant in the army. He served as an airborne ranger and earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and held such leadership positions as platoon leader and company executive officer. Mike left the army with the rank of captain, then spent 15 years in a real estate development company before following his dream of returning to Avon Old Farms School as a teacher, a coach, and administrator, and a dormitory head.

Av oni a n s at U S M A

2016

2011

2003

Thomas Chandler

Jason Ryan Lally

Robert Eidson

United States Naval Academy Prep School

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

Owen Davis

2009

Charles Escarra

United States Naval Academy

Liam McCarthy

John Beath United States Air Force Academy

United States Coast Guard Academy

John Patterson

Timothy Davis

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

Shaun Reass United States Military Academy

1999

Sean Rough

United States Air Force Academy

Sean Cooper Napoli

United States Military Academy

Brendan McGunigle

1998

United States Naval Academy

Ryan Siggens

United States Military Academy

Patrick Witkowski United States Coast Guard Academy

2015

Tyler Bambrick

Chad Rayno United States Coast Guard Academy

1997

Matthew Beath

Windon Spivey

United States Air Force Academy

The Citadel

United States Military Academy

Adam Stetson

1997

Steven Driscoll

Virginia Military Institute

United States Naval Academy

2002

United States Air Force Academy

Andrew Hermandorfer

Daniel O’Brien

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

Paul Severni

2014

United States Military Academy

Grant Harrison Gould

Nathan Zinn

United States Air Force Academy

Maximilian Chase Maudsley United States Merchant Marine Academy

2013 Wilson Patrick Meyer United States Military Academy

Robert Mucka United States Naval Academy

William MacDonald White United States Military Academy

2012 Jack Thomas Lahey United States Naval Academy

United States Military Academy

United States Military Acadey

Matthew Devon Hahn

United States Military Academy Preparatory School—Army

United States Coast Guard Academy

2006 Sean Johnson United States Air Force Academy Prep School

2005 Patrick Bain United States Military Acadmy

Adam Johnson

Zachary Eidson

Andrew Pederson-Keel United States Military Academy

2001 Daniel Cappallo United States Military Academy

Alexander Dean United States Military Academy

William Dean United States Naval Academy

Daniel Doucette

William Ehrman United States Military Academy

1996 Christopher Morris United States Military Academy

1995 Patrick Klolow United States Naval Academy

1995 Jason Miller United States Naval Academy

1994 Matthew Bazarian

Graham Gill

United States Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy

Louis Kousouris

James Sullivan

United States Military Academy

Jonathan Standen

United States Naval Academy

John Mailman

United States Air Force Preparatory School

2001

United States Military Academy

Joseph Ward

Clinton Smith

United States Air Force Preparatory School

Giovanni Vozzolo United States Military Academy

2004 Michael Beggins United States Naval Academy Prep School

Briaqn Mulligan United States Air Force Academy Prep School

Kenneth Leslie

2007

United States Naval Academy

William Pollak

United States Military Academy

Tucker Symes

Marc Christino

Jeffrey Hodgman

United States Naval Academy

United States Military Academy

1992

United States Air Force Academy

2000 Thomas LeRouz United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy

1993 John Bruzza United States Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy

1991 Timothy Ogden United States Naval Academy

Jason Parker United States Military Academy

1990 Thomas LeRoux United States Military Academy

Shaun Patterson Reass United States Military Academy

1989 Calvin Ingraham United States Air Force Academy

1987 Douglas Derocher United States Naval Academy Prep School

Brian O’Connor United States Coast Guard Academy

Randall Peck United States Naval Academy

T. Deloe Shively United States Naval Academy Prep School

1985 John Farnham United States Military Academy

1983 Thomas Politano Virginia Military Institute

Tyler Kelley United States Coast Guard Academy

The Avonian Fall 2016

19

Men who Honor Service

Catc hing Up With…

will white ’13

and

wilson meyer ’13

Warden and secretary of the Student Council, respectively, Will White ’13 and Wilson Meyer ’13 were two of the Class of 2013’s brightest stars. Scholars, athletes, community servants, and natural leaders, they matriculated at the USMA at West Point together and have spent their college careers in the same fashion as they did at Avon: busy and successful. Now, as they prepare to graduate this spring, White and Meyer catch up with the Avonian and reflect on life at a USMA school Wil l White ’13 My experiences at West Point have been amazing thus far. The Academy allows me to surround myself with peers and mentors who truly care about leadership and personal development. Being in this type of environment has allowed me to better my character so that I can become an effective officer.

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

Since attending West Point, I have had many experiences that I believe will be beneficial to me as an officer. My transition into the Academy was difficult; however, my time at Avon definitely made the transition easier. The most challenging part of West Point has been and will continue to be time management. The Academy offers many opportunities for personal development, but it is difficult to find the time necessary to explore these opportunities while also focusing on academics and physical development and maintaining a social life. Noticing my personal improvement over the past three years has been my most rewarding experience. Although there have been stressful and difficult times, I am proud of the work I have put in to develop into a better leader. My time at Avon definitely played a huge role in allowing me to appreciate service. Even as a freshman, I felt a sense of belonging at Avon. This pushed me to give back in any way I could to the Avon community. This same sense of service has followed me to West Point. I have really enjoyed the leadership opportunities and have continued to develop into a better servant while at the Academy. My time at Avon and West Point has positively influenced my character and other personal traits.

From a young age, I have always wanted to join the military and serve my country. Throughout my time at Avon, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to lead people in a number of different activities. Attending West Point and having the ability to commission as a second lieutenant after graduation will allow me to serve and lead soldiers. I look forward to the challenges of leading soldiers in many different environments.

This upcoming May, I hope to commission as an infantry officer. Following graduation, I will be allowed 30 to 60 days of leave and then will have to report to Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course (IBOLC). After this initial training, I will have to attend a few more months of training before I report to my first duty assignment.

Fr om a young age, I have always wanted to join the military and serve my country. Throughout my time at Avon, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to lead people in a number of different activities. Attending West Point and having the ability to commission as a second lieutenant after graduation will allow me to serve and lead soldiers.

—will white ’13

Wilson Me y er ’13 Overall, my experience at West Point has been diverse.

Academically, I am studying systems engineering while also taking history, psychology, astrophysics, and computer science, to name a few. Militarily, I have gone to Airborne School, spent a summer as a counselor for incoming freshman, and followed a second lieutenant around in Germany. Physically, I have been on the crew team, intramurals wrestling and now a Sandhurst team (a military/physical competition). The most challenging aspect has been time management. During the week, class starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Finding more than an hour of free time between classes is difficult. After class we either have to practice marching or go to our sports, which usually lasts until 6:00 p.m., then dinner and try to work. The most rewarding aspect, similar to Avon, has been the people. How quickly you become friends with random cadets is humorous. Three days into the semester of summer training, and it feels as though you’ve been friends for months. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I have never felt alone. There has always been a friend who is doing the same thing or has already completed it who can help. The connections have been the most rewarding aspect because I know I will never forget them, and I’ll have them later in life. Not only the friends I’ve made but also the instructors and workers at West Point have been very influential. At the first class each semester, probably 90 percent of instructors give all the cadets their cell phone numbers with guidance to text or call them any time we have a question. The staff in the mess hall is extremely accommodating and vital to our daily life. The amount I’ve learned about being a good person from daily interactions with these men and women is another extremely rewarding aspect about West Point.

When I was young, I remember playing games like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor. These games led to me watching the Military Channel and History Channel, which continued to pique my interest. I was fascinated by the capabilities of our military and wanted to be a part of it. I don’t know when or how I learned about West Point, but between sixth and eighth grades, I started talking about attending. My technical knowledge about West Point and the army was still very immature all through high school. For example, I didn’t know the difference between enlisted soldiers and officers until a couple weeks into my first summer at West Point. Before attending West Point, I wanted to pursue a career in the military because it seemed fun and exciting. I’ve stayed because I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.

Will White ’13 and Wilson Meyer ’13 with Brandon Moore ’08 and Jason Lally ’11

In a leadership class all seniors take, we spend many lessons talking about the value and concept of service. I see the value of service as a personal mindset. Every job can be considered a service. Doctors, firefighters, and soldiers are the three that come to my mind. Any job can be seen as a valuable service to our nation and other people; it just depends on your mindset. For me, the value of service continues to motivate me to be better and work for the people of America and the world.

I see attending West Point as a lot like attending Avon (or any school for that matter). You get exactly what you put in. The harder I have worked, the more I have learned. I learned the same lesson at Avon. Sitting in your room all day will get you to graduation, but going out and trying to have fun will make the experience much more worthwhile. I hope to take this attitude everywhere I go in life.

I selected Armor for my first branch choice. We will find out late November what branch we got. Then, in February, we find our post. Right now, I am leaning toward Fort Carson, Colo., or Fort Lewis, Wash. Assuming I get Armor, I will go to Fort Benning, Ga. for around a year after graduation. After 60 days of leave, I will attend Armor-Basic Officer Leadership Course (A-BOLC). Then, I will hopefully attend Ranger School and Army Reconnaissance Course, after which I will finally move to the post I select this coming February and take my first assignment.

The Avonian Fall 2016

21

Men who Honor Service

V E T E R A N S T R I B U T E DE DIC AT E D or many years, the National Council at Avon Old Farms School has wanted to do something meaningful and visible on our historic campus to pay tribute to the hundreds of alumni who have served in their countries’ armed forces.

In 2014, an opportunity arose to incorporate such a tribute into the remodeling of the back stairway providing access from campus to the athletic fields. This Veterans Day, November 11, the Veterans Tribute was dedicated after much anticipation.

“The stairway system leading to the athletic fields behind the Brown Student Center has been a pet project of mine since I joined Avon’s community,” said Bob Orenstein, CFO of Avon Old Farms. “Two years ago we were finally able to start the planning of such a project, and the end result is even better than we initially imagined.”

Visitors to the Tribute are met with an engraving on the landing stair that reads, “This Tribute salutes the sons of Avon Old Farms School who answered their country’s call to service, in war and in peace.” Below, the space features two granite benches overlooking the varsity soccer field. Each bench features another engraving, which together read, “Honor the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause.

Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” —Abraham Lincoln.

“I took in our first soccer match this fall from the Veterans Tribute, and the perspective granted me a newfound understanding of the flow of the game,” said Headmaster Ken LaRocque during a morning meeting earlier this fall. “This space will grow to be a place of reflection, a place of tranquility, and a place to appreciate all that our veterans have sacrificed for our school and our country.”

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

Construction on the Tribute, which uses a combination of brownstone and granite as its primary materials, began in the fall of 2015, with the SLAM Collaborative, a 170-person architectural, landscape architectural, interior design, structural engineering, and construction services firm in Glastonbury, Conn., providing design services.

“The National Council proposed the creation of a veterans tribute on campus in recognition of the men of Avon, faculty, administrators, and staff with military service,” explains Rich Connell ’74, a National Council member and a principal with the SLAM Collaborative. “Many have served and too many have given what Abraham Lincoln so eloquently called ‘the last full measure of devotion.’ It is very appropriate that we should encourage today’s Avonians to remember and honor these individuals by creating a place where they can reflect on that service.

“The design of veterans memorials has a time-honored tradition in America,” continues Connell. “From the monuments erected after the Civil War to the more recent memorials, they have engaged our nation in dialogue. They stand today as intended: places for remembrance and tribute.

In the spirit of this design approach, the SLAM Collaborative worked closely with the National Council in the development of the design of the Veterans Tribute. In 2014, the opportunity arose to combine the Veterans Tribute with another project that the school was studying that involved the replacement of the existing walkway from the Athletic Center down to the fields. There was a benefit economically to realize both projects together and the location would be one that Avonians would pass daily on their way to the fields.”

The Veterans Day dedication ceremony was moving and memorable on a day of reflection and remembrance. Students were released from classes to process in parade from the Village Green to the Tribute area, where the National Council, guests, and faculty were gathered. After a welcome and an introduction from Headmaster LaRocque, Connell addressed the group about the project. Next, Don Monaco ’55, a member of the National Council and an Air Force veteran, recited “High Flight,” written

by Avon alum John Gillepsie Magee Jr. ’40. Michael Conroy ’85, chairman of the National Council, performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony before the Riddlers led guests in a moving rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

In Memor iam: A Fal len Her o

Andrew Pedersen-Keel ’02 ndrew Pedersen-Keel ’02, affectionately known as PK, was killed on March 11, 2013, while bravely serving in Afghanistan.

The victim of a well-coordinated attack, he was one of two soldiers killed by an Afghan policeman who opened fire while PK was leading a briefing in Wardak.

Throughout his impressive four-year career at Avon, PK embraced all that the school had to offer. A Dean’s List student, tri-sport varsity athlete, two-year dormitory monitor, and editor of the Avon Record, he was one of the most respected members of the entire school community. Beyond all his academic and athletic achievements, however, was PK’s appreciation for the brotherhood and camaraderie that exists at Avon. He was a leader of men, which is why it came as no surprise when he was admitted to West Point, from which he graduated in 2006.

“I will always remember PK’s enthusiasm and energy,” said Headmaster LaRocque. “He displayed such passion as a young man and obviously continued to approach life with that same vitality at West Point and beyond. While it is so sad to lose such an impressive young man, PK loved being a soldier, serving his country, and his life. He understood the risks that accompanied his profession and embraced them courageously. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

PK was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, N.C. According to his army biography, he was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 for a 12-month tour, serving as a company executive officer and platoon leader. Following that deployment he began Special Forces training, which he completed in 2012. At the time of his death, he had been in Afghanistan for his first tour as a Special Forces commander for less than a year. PK’s awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air

Assault Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. PK’s body was returned to the United States, to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, in a dignified transfer, where family members were waiting. After a family funeral service in Guilford, Conn., PK was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

On Veterans Day in 2014, the Avon Old Farms School community came together to honor PK. This special event included Avon alumni and past and current West Point Cadets Jason Lally ’11, Will White ’13, and Wilson Meyer ’13. On behalf of his peers, Meyer spoke to the community about his experiences during West Point’s Cadet Field Training, during which yearlings compete for the honor of earning the coveted Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel Memorial Award. This award is given to the platoon leader who best exemplifies army values and the concept of officership during cadet summer training known as Task Force Pedersen-Keel.

Guests then watched a moving video of pictures from PK’s life. Headmaster LaRocque noted that one chair—graced with the American flag and a dress cap—was left empty on stage because PK was with Avon in spirit, forever. Mr. LaRocque presented PK’s parents with a replica of the plaque that hangs in Digoenes Dormitory room 301—PK’s head monitor dorm room his senior year—which was dedicated and named in his honor.

V e t e r a n s Current Facult y and S taff Roger Bernier: Air Force

Henry Skip Flanagan: Coast Guard Reserve

John Bourgault ’80: Marine Corps

Michael Symes ’81: Army

Peter Evans: Navy

Sarah Wallace: Army

Shawn Field: Navy

Faculty Focus

John Bourgault ’80

By Morgan C. Cugell

J

ohn Bourgault ’80 is known to many on campus— colleagues and students alike—simply as “the Major.”

The moniker refers not only to Bourgault’s years spent in service with the United States Marine Corps but also to his compelling, commanding presence at Avon Old Farms School. As a teacher, an advisor, a coach, and an administrator—he’s currently the co-athletic director and the head coach of the varsity wrestling team— Bourgault has developed a devoted following of students who seek to emulate his tireless commitment to serve.

Born outside of San Francisco, Bourgault migrated to the East Coast when he began as a sophomore at Avon Old Farms School in 1977. He played football and was a dormitory monitor in Eagle. After graduating from Avon in 1980, Bourgault returned to California to attend California State University, from which he graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in business administration. He also began dating his now-wife, Anna, during that time.

Following his graduation from college, Bourgault joined the United States Marine Corps nd went to officer candidate school in Quantico, Va. He graduated from school, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and married Anna—all on August 17, 1984. For the next 20 years, Bourgault devoted his life to the Marines. He served as rifle platoon commander in the Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division before being assigned in 1986 to Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fla., for duties as naval aviation student. He received his golden wings in spring of 1988.

Bourgault began his operational tour as a CH-53E pilot in Southern California in the summer of 1988; he was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/ Storm two years later, flying 13 combat missions. He was separately deployed

to Okinawa for seven months. He next attended the year-long amphibious warfare school in Quantico before returning to operating forces as a CH-53E pilot, again in Southern California. After attending the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico in 1997, Bourgault held a variety of command and staff positions at the Basic School, including executive officer; commanding officer, Company D; and commanding officer Instructor Battalion. From 2001 to 2004, he served as deputy director of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, revising and implementing the Corps’s decades-old in-close fighting system with something more modern.

Bourgault retired in 2004 as a major.

Despite having no military tradition in his family background, Bourgault was always intrigued by the prospect of joining. “I spent much of my youth watching war movies and reading books about wars and always wondered ‘how I would measure up,’” he explains. “There was a sense of adventure and order.”

Indeed, Bourgault’s passion for his work as a marine is evident. “It was rewarding,” he states. “Serving the people of the United States, working with awesome people, traveling to really cool places, and doing things that others can only dream of doing.” And yet the challenge of leaving his family behind proved to be immense; his son, Jake ’09, was born on Christmas Day while Bourgault was deployed on his first mission to the Middle East.

Bourgault also has a daughter, Jenelle, who was married on campus in 2015 and recently welcomed the Bourgaults’ first grandchild.

After his prolific career with the Marine Corps, Bourgault returned to his Avon roots, joining the faculty in 2004. “As a student at Avon, I liked the routine and structure, and in my mind, there was a military ‘flavor’ to the rigor and camaraderie I found here as a student,” recalls Bourgault. “Ever since

“As a student at Avon, I liked the routine and structure, and in my mind, there was a military ‘flavor’ to the rigor and camaraderie I found here as a student.”

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Fall 2016 The Avonian Fall 2016 The Avonian

“Avon does a great job of promoting the concept of service without forcing it upon our students. Giving really is better than receiving and the sooner our students realize that, the happier and more fulfilled they will be.”

graduating, I had always thought about coming back,” he says. “A couple of years before retiring from the Marine Corps, I began inquiring about coming back and teaching. Nothing seemed to be open, so I began pursuing other avenues. I had two very attractive offers on my desk that Anna and I were considering when I got a call from Art Custer in late May of 2004, offering me my dream job.”

The Avon community has since embraced the Major’s way of life, and he’s used his background in service to instill the same values in the students and teachers around him.

Bourgault has long supported the Semper Fi Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill, and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities. He encouraged the Avon community to join him in the now-annual Push-Ups for Patriots event, a 24-hour fundraiser that sees teams of students and faculty members completing push-ups, running laps, and participating in other physical challenges—putting their bodies to the test to raise money for the cause. Participants in the event do ten push-ups every minute for as long as their bodies

allow; those who complete the entire 24 hours do a total of 15,000. Bourgault explains, “The purpose of it is to raise money and awareness for the soldiers and service men and women coming back from overseas. The government does a pretty good job taking care of them, but not enough, so we’re volunteering our time and our sweat and our money to help make the difference.” To date, in its eighth year, the event has raised more than $100,000. With Bourgault at the helm—he completes all 24 hours of push-ups each year—the event continues to grow and will surely thrive at Avon for years to come.

Bourgault has always believed in leading by example, in both the Marine Corps and as a family man. And in his time so far at Avon Old Farms School, he has been proud to continue that tradition both as a faculty member and as a part of the school itself, whose mission he values intrinsically.

“Avon does a great job of promoting the concept of service without forcing it upon our students,” he observes.” We offer a wide variety of service opportunities and appropriately recognize those who partake.

“Giving really is better than receiving and the sooner our students realize that, the happier and more fulfilled they will be.”

The Avonian Fall 2016 The Avonian Fall 2016

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Student Spotlight

Kevin Sieber ’17

By Morgan C. Cugell

K

evin Sieber ’17 is this year’s Warden and one of the most prominent leaders of the student body. From nearby Simsbury, Conn., Sieber is a four-year student who originally began his Avon career as a day boy. After just one year, he knew it was time to make a change and started his sophomore year as a boarder, hoping to get more involved and meet more people. He has never looked back—and that decision has served him well as he leads his classmates as Warden.

“To me, Warden means that you represent the student body here and can speak for them. I believe it is important for the student body to know me and feel comfortable to ask any questions at any time and for me to know the student body as best I can.”

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Spring 2010 The Avonian Fall 2016 The Avonian

Sieber’s leadership credentials on campus are unquestionable. As a rising junior, he won the Woodwell Leadership Award, which recognizes a student who demonstrates leadership potential and a desire to give back to the Avon community. He serves as the president of the Red Cross Club, the president of the Junior Achievement Club, a writer for the Avon Record, one of the heads of Avon Outreach, the head admissions ambassador, and the head monitor of Jamerson Dormitory.

When asked why he took it upon himself to get involved in so many aspects of school, Sieber replied, “Honestly, I think it’s a great way to get to know people. If I get to know someone who likes to do something with business in the Junior Achievement Club and also someone who likes to help people

“Avon has molded me into the man I am still trying to become. The friendships I have made here will last a lifetime, with people I truly can call my brothers.”

in the Red Cross Club, I think it’s a great way to get a sense of the community as a whole.

“Junior Achievement is something that I am very passionate about, since I have developed a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship over recent years,” he explains. “Along with that, I have loved being a member of the Student Council more and more each year because I have learned a lot about leadership skills, with all the responsibility we are given, and how to make a plan and fix any issues or problems there are.”

Sieber excels in the classroom as well, tackling some of the school’s hardest academic courses. He earned the Earnest and Persistent Effort Award as a freshman and the Harvard Book Prize, the Louise B. Adams Cup, and the Intro to Computer Programming book award last year as a junior.

Anyone who has attended the school’s end-of-year academic award ceremony in the past few years can attest to Sieber’s excellence in the classroom. Though he appreciates the challenges of a rigorous class schedule, his favorite class at Avon, ceramics, served as a creative outlet, providing a different set of expectations and difficulties while allowing Sieber to explore an artistic side of himself. “I never really saw myself making pottery, but I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed Ms. McSpadden’s class,” he shared. “We always had a really good time. I think this is a great thing about Avon—I don’t know if I would try something like ceramics at another school because of fear that someone would think it wasn’t masculine enough, but here you can really get involved with artistic things like that without anyone judging you for it.”

Sieber remains undecided about his college plans but is considering options that offer a military opportunity and plans to pursue a career in business or economics. Wherever he ends up, he is sure to make an impact as a leader, thanks in large part to the support of the people around him.

“Avon has molded me into the man I am still trying to become,” observes Kevin. “The friendships I made here will last a lifetime, with people I truly can call my brothers.”

The Avonian Spring 2010 The Avonian Fall 2016

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Alumni Spotlight

Jamie Hayes ’88

By Morgan C. Cugell

J

amie Hayes ’88 has served his country all over the world, leading his fellow men and women in service with a profound dedication that began at a young age, and thrived at Avon Old Farms School.

The Hayes family has deep ties to Avon. Hayes’s father graduated in 1952 and his brother in 1995, and his nephew, James Craig Nicholson, is a member of the current freshman class.

“I took to Avon like a fish to water,” Hayes notes.

“The academics were challenging, and my instructors always pushed me to think critically about the subjects they taught. I remember with great fondness studying history under Art Custer, Chandra Narsipur, and the legendary Seth Mendell. John Haile opened up the wonders of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Homer, and other classic authors while instilling in me a love of language and a sense of wonder about the world beyond Avon’s halls.

“Next to academics, sports filled my waking hours,” Hayes continues. “I was an enthusiastic but middling athlete in soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse. However, I felt privileged to be called teammate by so many others whose skill on the lacrosse field or wrestling mat kept me in awe and coached by amazing gentlemen who recognized that their charge was not solely to win games but to also build character. During my senior year, I served as the head monitor for Elephant Dormitory and editor of the newspaper. At graduation, I was very humbled to be named a member of the Order of Old Farms.

“Avon, with its sense of brotherhood and community, sharpened that desire to serve and provided me a perfect venue to prepare for a career as an army officer.”

Hayes matriculated at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the summer of 1988, and despite the rigor of the first summer—known as “Beast Barracks”—he soon found his groove and settled into life as a cadet. “I took refuge from the tough academic and military grind of the Academy on the rugby pitch,” he recalls. “Like my experience at Avon, I was not a standout player but enjoyed immensely the sense of camaraderie and shared hardship with my brothers on the army rugby team.”

West Point served as a perfect fit for Hayes and solidified his decision to become a professional soldier and to make the army his life’s work. He graduated in 1992 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

“The most rewarding aspect of my service is the privilege of commanding these amazing men and women. They really are incredible. Your military is an all-volunteer force made up of professionals who are proud of their service and continue to serve their communities once they shed the uniform..”

After infantry officer training and Ranger School, Hayes reported for duty with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, a subordinate element of the famed 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. The 82d Airborne, an elite unit and the nation’s “911 Force,” was also the division that both his grandfather and father had served in, during World War II and the Cold War, respectively. Despite the hard work, Hayes notes, he enjoyed the experience immensely and had a lot of fun. “Jungle training in Panama, winter training in Canada, and parachuting onto concrete runways to practice airfield seizures were all just part of the job.”

After promotion to captain in 1996, Hayes faced reassignment away from the 82d Airborne. “I wanted to continue my service but also craved a different kind of challenge,” he explains. “Special Forces was it. After a brief stint in Korea, I passed the grueling Special Forces assessment and selection course and then spent the next year qualifying to become a Green Beret. Special Forces training seemed to be Ranger School on steroids: small unit tactics, SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) training, foreign weapons, demolitions, and guerilla warfare made up the cornerstones of the curriculum.”

Hayes discovered he had a knack for unconventional soldiering and completed the Special Forces “Q-Course” as honor graduate of his class. The following years in Special Forces were spent mostly in Asia, training with allied special operations forces in Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines. But after the devastating events of September 11, 2001, Hayes made another change.

“Like nearly everyone in the military, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed my world completely,” he recalls. “Since then, I have deployed six times on combat operations to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Outside of combat duty, I have served on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon and as the military assistant to the under secretary of defense for intelligence.” Hayes is currently in command of a joint special operations task force, also known as a “SOC-Forward,” deployed to the Middle East. Daily life varies among being in the field, working at his headquarters, and conducting coordination meetings at several U.S. embassies in the region.

Hayes’s devotion to serving his country is unquestionable and unshakeable—and he can still recall the time in his life that set that dedication in motion.

“I was seven years old,” he says. “My father took me to see the movie A Bridge Too Far, the epic story of the ill-fated 1944 Allied airborne operation in Holland. After the movie, my father explained how my grandfather had participated in the battle and that becoming a paratrooper was sort of a tradition in the Hayes family. I was hooked.”

Hayes plans to instill the value of service in his own children through the same example his family did for him.

He also notes that being away from his wife, Danielle, and their two children, has been the most challenging aspect of his career, although it has also given him a different sense of perspective.

“Luckily, I am blessed with an amazing wife and kids who continue to support me despite the absences,” he says. “That said, Skype is an amazing thing! Being away from family for so long has given me an appreciation for the little things in life.

Going for a run with my wife in our hometown of Old Town Alexandria, taking the dog for a walk with my daughter to our favorite park near the Potomac River, or meeting a friend for a beer on King Street—these memories and many others sustain me during tough times.”

And though there are tough times, Hayes is quick to credit the company he keeps at work as reason enough to continue to serve. “The most rewarding aspect of my service is the privilege of commanding these amazing men and women,” he explains. “They really are incredible. Your military is an all-volunteer force made up of professionals who are proud of their service and continue to serve their communities once they shed the uniform.”

Selflessly serving others—in the army, in the community, and in his family—is clearly a deeply rooted part of the Hayes foundation, built long before he entered the service or even before he set foot on campus. Yet Avon played an integral part, from its curriculum to its character building to even, perhaps, a rather humble school job.

“Avon does a remarkable job of instilling a sense of community and service,” he observes. “Everyone has a role to play in making the village of Avon Old Farms work. As a freshman, I made toast in the Refectory every morning for my schoolmates. Over the years, I endured a lot of good-natured ribbing from friends and family for this seemingly mundane and trivial task I was assigned by the Avon faculty. However, I can’t help but think that it was the starting point of something rather special. And, to this day, I can still make some pretty delicious toast.”

The Avonian Fall 2016

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From left: Seth Mendell ’52, Geo rge Motter ’59, Austin Chambers ’58, Rolf Olso n ’59, Steve Holt ’58, and Charles “Scag” Scaglione ’56 in front of the headmaster’s home during Reu nion 2016.

Please send us your personal notes!

Class Notes can be submitted to Lizabeth Abramson at AbramsonL@avonoldfarms.com The deadlines for Class Notes submission are Spring issue: March 1, 2017 Fall issue: September 1, 2017

Class Notes 42

DAVID HOMEIER and his wife, Barbara, visited

RUSSELL HUNTER , Head Class Agent

PO Box 22, Farmington, CT 06034-0022 SAVE THE DATE! 75th Reunion, Class of 1942, May 12–14, 2017

50 HARVEY RUBIN , Head Class Agent 102 Barbour Cir., Newport News, VA 23606-2201 harvo2516@verizon.net

51 WARREN FORD , Head Class Agent

115 Center St., Wolcott, CT 06716 jodir@aol.com

52 SETH F. MENDELL , Head Class Agent 230 Tellidora Ct., Fort Myers, FL 33908-1618 sethalicemendell@gmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 65th Reunion, Class of 1952, May 12–14, 2017

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

with FRANK LEAVITT this summer. They always enjoy seeing “Butch” when they go to Maine.

They also tend to go to Boca Grande, Fla., every March, which Barbara says has an old New England feel to it; they will be there at the beginning of March this year.

54 DOUGLAS H. MACPHERSON , Class Agent 5405 Dranes Tavern Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030-4603 dhmacpherson@verizon.net

55 EDWARD J. HAWIE , Co-Head Class Agent

138 Hampton Point Dr. St. Simons Island, GA 31522-5426 ehawie@bellsouth.net CLEON M. SHUTT JR. , Co-Head Class Agent

511 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117 chipsamerica@hotmail.com

56 CHARLES R. SCAGLIONE, Head Class Agent 3328 Eagle Nest Point, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 scag12@verizon.net

58 AUSTIN CHAMBERS, Co-Head Class Agent 317 Flanders Road, Stonington, CT 06378-2109 Hilltop12@aol.com STEPHEN HOLT, Co-Head Class Agent 75 Bridge Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 stephenholt@comcast.net

59 CHARLES W. DAVIS, Co-Head Class Agent

6905 West 99th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 cwdavis@waretec.com DOUGLAS B. MARSHALL, Co-Head Class Agent

2 Berkshire Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 douglas.marshall@raveis.com

Lifelong friends: David Pinkham ’66 and Doug Parker ’66

Enjoying time on Nantucket at the home of David Billings ’66 and his wife, Beverly Hall, are, from left, Dean Skip Flanagan, Sue Evans, David Billings ’66, Britt Flanagan, and Dean Peter Evans.

Sam Chew ’61 at Ross Mountain Club, with his first ! hole-in-one at age 73

Lynne and Chris Cargen ’66 and Geoffrey Sm ith dinner in th ’66 connected before e Refector y Saturday night durin g Alumni W eekend.

David Billings ’66 enjoyed Reunion Weekend with his former teacher and good friend eth Mendell ’52.

David Frazer ’66 sails on Chesapeake Bay wit h his brother, Pokey ’64 .

64 W. B. HARWOOD III, Head Class Agent

24 Overhill Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053 wbhtcc@aol.com

is ’63 and Knick Curt 1 enjoyed r ’6 e lm Bill Pa 016.

Reunion 2

65 PERRY BENSON, Head Class Agent 135 Naudain Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1218 pb2@jacobswyper.com

66 MICHAEL D. BARKER, Head Class Agent

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62

RICHARD L. WILLIAMS, Head Class Agent

ALAN D. ROZINSKY, Head Class Agent 13620-B Via Flora, Delray Beach, FL 33484 alroz@lycos.com SAVE THE DATE! 55th Reunion, Class of 1962, May 12–14, 2017

PO Box 218, South Orleans, MA 02662-0218 Rclumberclan@aol.com COLE VAN DE WATER was back to campus during Alumni Weekend in May from Hillsborough, N.C., where he enjoys life as a retired army veteran.

61 GEORGE F. HENSCHEL JR., Head Class Agent 01 Seminary Road, Bedford, NY 10506 gfhjr@aol.com

63 THOMAS K. CURTIS, Head Class Agent 4306 Pomona Road, Dallas, TX 75209-2822 knickc@fastmail.fm

139 Kirkwood Road, West Hartford, CT 06117-2835 barkermike@aol.com DAVID PINKHAM emailed, “Fifty years after

graduating from Avon I had the opportunity to meet up again with R. DOUGLAS PARKER. Known as Bobby to me when we were kids growing up in Rye, N.Y., Doug and I had dinner in Weaverville, N.C., in early May. He has been living there for a number of years working in the banking world (now retired), and I was there attending a photography workshop. Doug looks great, is happily married, and has grandchildren.

Wonderful to touch base with a friend from childhood and from Avon. (See photo, top left.)

The Avonian Fall 2016

31

Class Notes Henr y Coons ’7 1 paddles in Maine with his grandson Nico Noble (AOF Cla ss of 2030?).

Tim Trautman ’75 and Mark Deblois ’74 attend the Nantucket wedding of Mark’s daughter, Delia.

While visiting family in the United States, Morris Goldstein ’74 stopped

by Avon’s campus to catch up with Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08 and Tim Trautman ’75. From left: Tim Trautman ’75, Morris Goldstein ’74, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Nesia, and Rosi. The Goldsteins live in Israel, where Morris teaches school.

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71

75

JAMES W. CORRIGAN, Co-Head Class Agent 826 Gould Hill Road, Contoocook, NH 03229 jwc915@gmail.com

JOSEPH C. VECCHIARINO III, Head Class Agent

TOM BYRNE, Head Class Agent

5 Ohehyahtah Place, Danbury, CT 06810 drvvv@sbcglobal.net

31 Helena Road, Avon, CT 06001-3433 tbyrne@thomasbyrne.com

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RANDY BECKER and his wife, Rebecca, hosted

WILLIAM F. ROBERTS, Co-Head Class Agent 786 Brownsville Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608 wfroberts@fast.net SAVE THE DATE! 50th Reunion, Class of 1967, May 12–14, 2017

68 GEORGE L. PURNELL, Head Class Agent 4822 Brighton Lakes Boulevard Boynton Beach, FL 33436 glpluvssports@gmail.com

69 DAVID F. COLEMAN, Head Class Agent

35 Adelaide Avenue, Barrington, RI 02806 dfc@colemanrealtors.com

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500 Old Farms Road, Avon, CT 06001 driscollk@avonoldfarms.com SAVE THE DATE! 45th Reunion, Class of 1972, May 12–14, 2017

73 CHRISTOPHER L. ATKINS, Head Class Agent PO Box 706, Hilldale, NY 12529-0706 catkins702@gmail.com

74 GEORGE J. GIANNONI, Co-Head Class Agent

6 Twilight Drive, Granby, CT 06035-1212 GGiannoni@cox.net EDWARD P. MOLLOY, Co-Head Class Agent

HARRIS H. BUCKLIN III, Head Class Agent

004 Margaret Jones Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185 hbucklin3@aol.com

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KEVIN DRISCOLL, Head Class Agent

Fall 2016 The Avonian

6 Winhart Drive, Granby, CT 06035 E.molloy@cox.net

DAVID JACK and his wife, Tammy, in San Antonio, Texas, this past February. During their five-day stay, David and Tammy visited the Alamo; the River Walk; the Menger Bar, where Colonel Theodore Roosevelt recruited the Rough Riders; and the Texas hill and wine country near Fredericksburg, Texas, and Luckenbach, Texas, made famous by the Waylon Jennings song. (See photo, p. 33, top left.) Randy emailed, “Everyone enjoyed the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo as well as the concert by Martina McBride. Since David and Tammy met on Valentine’s Day, we celebrated with an excellent dinner at Susteno Restaurant, owned by Stephen Pyles, a renowned chef, author, and restaurateur. While temperatures dropped to –5 degrees in New England, San Antonio was sunny and 70 degrees during the day and dipped into the low 50s at night. We enjoyed sitting around the fire pit outside on the porch each evening while conversing, watching the stars, and relaxing. We traveled to Friedrich Park and hiked the Hill Country, enjoyed amazing Texas

k ’75, Tammy Jack, From left: David Jac ndy cca Becker, and Ra Sara Becker, Rebe Texas, and , ch ba en ck Lu it Becker ’75 vis 16. try in Febr uary 20 the Texas Hill Coun John Driscoll ’75, Darnell Norman, Darnell Davis Jr. ’14, Darnell Davis Sr. P’14, and Tom Driscoll ’79 gather after watching Darnell Davis play football for Rutgers in September.

All-Avon crew completes the summer 2016 Bermuda cruise.

From left to right: Dean Skip Flanagan, Al O’Connor ’75, Matt Kowalchick ’99, and Matt Trautman ’03. In front: Tim Trautman ’75.

BBQ, and saw Flore’s Country Store, the venue and bar where many country artists got their start. The main highlight was our excursion to China Grove, Texas, the town made famous by the Doobie Brothers song, where David was able to snap a picture of the sign. Randy and David reconnected and reminisced about their lives after Avon. Because of the relationships developed at Avon, it’s amazing after so many years how easy it is to reestablish your friendships.”

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Jamie Haske ll ’76 came all the way Australia to from join Peter R ice ’76 and classmates other for their 40 th reunion.

77 JORGE E. CONSUEGRA, Head Class Agent

5 Andrews Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 jorgeeconsuegra@yahoo.com SAVE THE DATE! 40th Reunion, Class of 1977, May 12–14, 2017

ALEXANDER N. WORLEY, Head Class Agent

20 Shore Grove Road, Clinton, CT 06413 alexworley@sbcglobal.net

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JAMIE HASKELL came to reunion and wrote,

389 Haines Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90814 jmgarvey@garvspace.com

“It was fantastic catching up with old friends— lifelong friends!”

Peter Rice ’7 6 with classm ate Dave Herbst er ’76 at Reun ion 2016 before the Alumni Pa rade began at Dio Circle

JOHN M. GARVEY, Head Class Agent

HOUIE BAKER and his lovely wife, Toni,

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wouldn’t miss their 40th reunion.

ANTHONY M. GRAY, Co-Head Class Agent

6212 Wagner Lane, Bethesda, MD 20816 tgray@tonygray.net; SCOTT B. LINKE, Co-Head Class Agent

116 Eleven Levels Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877-3011 links@attglobal.net

TONY GRAY, SCOTT LINKE, and TODD LADY ’93 trekked north to play in the World

Pond Hockey Championships in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada, last winter. Tony emailed, “It was a fine showing by AOF alum and current Y.A.N.K.S. (Your Average No-talent Knuckleheads from the South) with the three teams finishing 7,9,and 20 out of 100. (For a bunch of old *&%^%, not too bad!) We’ll

The Avonian Fall 2016

33

Class Notes

Tony Gray ’79, Todd Lady ’93, and Scott Linke ’79 attend the World Pond Hockey Championships, held in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada.

Mike Herbster ’80 along with his brother, Dave ’76, returned for Alumni Weekend.

Phil Pratt ’80 with Henry Coons ’71 at the Chatham Beach and Tennis Club

ith sons, icki ’81 w Marc Deln nd Josh (8) ), a Luke (10

head back again next year—and the stache was temporary.” (See photo, top left.) On Saturday, September 24, TOM DRISCOLL, along with brothers JOHN ’75 and Ed, traveled to Rutgers University for a Big 10 football game between Rutgers University and the University of Iowa. Tom emailed, “The weather was perfect for a pre- and post-game tailgate hosted by Darnell Davis Sr., father of AOF graduate DARNELL DAVIS JR. ’12. Darnell, a starting defensive end, played an outstanding game in a close, hard-fought battle.

He joined our tailgate post-game, and I’m proud to say that he is the same gracious, intelligent, and respectful young man we all remember from his Old Farms days. The post-game conversation included our fond memories of the Farm and how it was instrumental in Darnell’s road to success both on and off the playing field. Darnell is an economics major and carries one of the highest GPAs on the Rutgers football team.”

80 THOMAS E. DAVEY, Head Class Agent

6806 Joyce Way, Dallas, TX 75225-2718 Thomas.Davey@lighting.ge.com

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

PETER MATALON and wife, Tina, are empty nesters now in Jamaica. Their youngest daughter, Rebecca (15), is a student at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. Daughter Leah started medical school at Case Western campus in Washington, D.C. last spring and plans to specialize in anesthesiology.

Tiffany has a civil engineering degree and has been working in Atlanta with Hogan Construction while also finishing an MBA. She plans to move back home and work with Peter in his construction company this fall.

81 SAMUEL C. BOOKBINDER, Head Class Agent Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, 30 South 17th Street Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2707 samuel.bookbinder@wfadvisors.com JOHN SEALEY works in Boston as community

field coordinator at Higginson-Lewis, currently counseling middle school students.

82 GREGORY T. FISH, Head Class Agent

6 Blue Ridge Drive, Simbury, CT 06089 gtf324@yahoo.com SAVE THE DATE! 35th Reunion, Class of 1982, May 12–14, 2017

On January 16, 2016, Dean Graham ’84, Carl Valimont ’84, Matt Weir ’84, and Joe Giannamore ’84 reunited to shoot pheasant at Joe’s Buttermere Estate in Hungerford, England.

83 WILLIAM E. ESCHERT, Co-Head Class Agent

24 Westland Road, Avon, CT 06001-3197 billeschert@comcast.net; RICHARD C. GREGORY, Co-Head Class Agent 30 Walnut Farms Drive, Farmington, CT 06032 rick@rcgregory.com

84 JOHN GORDON, Head Class Agent 46 Nacoochee Drive N.W., Atlanta, GA 30305 falconatlfan@gmail.com

85 SAM L. RUBENSTEIN, Head Class Agent 2640 Endsleigh Drive, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 richmondsr@aol.com RICH NELSON emailed last March, “I will not make it to our reunion being all the way across the pond now, but please pass on my best wishes to my classmates. If anyone from the AOF family is ever visiting London, there’s an open invitation to get together at a pub for a pint or two or a nice meal overlooking the Thames. MARK MCFADDEN and his family and I keep in touch regularly, and

Henry Krupnikoff ’86, Chris Von Jako ’86, and Ken Rinker ’86 enjoy a few minutes together on the Village Green during Alumni Weekend.

b Hornish ’91 The family of Ro Disneyland last enjoys a visit to left: Jennifer, om Fr Febr uary.

(7), and Rob. a Ethan, McKenn

Paul Duwan ’85 ran into Don Monaco ’55 in Venice.

Al Povalski ’91 returned to campus with his family: Al, Joseph (13), Elizabeth (12), Michael (10), and Heather.

Matt Cutler ’91 arrived from California in time to join the Class of ’91 in honoring his mother, former Director of Admission Terry Cutler, by naming the Admission Reception Room in her honor and that of long-serving Director Frank Leavitt ’52. From left: Matt ’91, Terry, and Les Cutler

Ryan Hankard ’91, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Todd Miller ’91, Rob Dowling ’91, Eric Pokorny ’91, and Elliot Wagner ’91 meet at the Nimrod Pavilion during their class dinner.

I saw them over last Christmas. Of course they sadly lost their father, Pat, last fall, who was well known to you all. He was a good man and a great friend, as is Mark. I hope everyone has a great reunion weekend!”

PAUL DUWAN was in Venice with his family last

summer when he bumped into Avonian DON

Cassidy (10) and son Ryan (13). He emailed, “We all are doing well. I am presently a director of sales, selling aircraft engines and traveling quite often to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.”

MONACO ’55 while walking through town on the

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way to a Vivaldi concert. It turned out Don was on his way back to his apartment to change because he was going to the very same concert and ended up sitting next to the Duwans. (See photo, top left.)

Co-Head Class Agent 428 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 shawnatki@gmail.com

86 STEPHEN R. GORMAN, Head Class Agent 13 Smith Lane, Burlington, CT 06013-1201 srg_2966@hotmail.com

87 HAROLD R. BEACHAM JR., Head Class Agent

6 Pleasant Street, Dover, MA 02030 hal.beacham44@comcast.net SAVE THE DATE! 30th Reunion, Class of 1987, May 12–14, 2017 MIKE TETREAULT lives in Feeding Hills, Mass.,

SHAWN E. ATKINSON,

PETER REED, Co-Head Class Agent 91 Butternut Lane, Southport, CT 06890 preed@caldwellpartners.com JEROME KENNEDY and his wife, Ashley,

announce the birth of their daughter, Reagan.

DAVID JAACKS is still living in West Windsor, Vt.

He has started a new manufacturing business called Konrad Prefab, which designs and builds purposebuilt environments. One of his clients is Mamava.

He designed a private lactation suite for nursing moms on the go. Mamava units have been installed for the Red Sox, Mets, Brewers, and Vikings.

89 ROBERT WILEMAN, Head Class Agent 7425 N.E. 97th Terrace Oklahoma City, OK 73151-9121 rmw@wilemanagency.com

90 PETER J. DECKERS, Head Class Agent 500 Old Farms Road, Avon, CT 06001 Deckersp@avonoldfarms.com

with his wife, Diane, and two children: daughter The Avonian Fall 2016

35

Class Notes

The family of Mike Fish ’95 visits campus to see the Stanley Cup won by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nick Bonino ’07.

The John McAuliffe ’95 and Mike O’Neill ’00 clans: From left: Owen O’Neill (2); Sheehan (7), Burke (3), and Jack (5) McAuliffe; and Finnegan O’Neill (4)

Dean Peter and Sue Evans visited the Ruan family in Florida last March. From left: Dean Peter Evans, Alison and John Ruan ’92, Catherine (7), Abigail (11), and Johnny (9).

Mark Rowe ’91, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, and Kevin McKernan ’91 relax at the Nimrod Pavilion during Reunion 2016.

93 TRAVIS MERRITT, Head Class Agent

21 Monroe Avenue, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 merritttravis@yahoo.com

94 Sean Baker ’91 with his wife, Michelle, Liam (16), and Maddy (13) visit the Village Green during Alumni Wee kend.

91 MICHAEL M. MULLIN, Head Class Agent

8 Nickerson Lane, Darien, CT 06820 michael.mullin@db.com ROB HORNISH and his wife, Jennifer, announce

the arrival of their son, Ethan, on July 16, 2015.

He visited campus from their home in Austin, Texas., along with big sister, McKenna (7), at their dad’s 25th reunion.

SEAN HANKARD graduated from the Army

War College with a master’s degree and joined the planning section in the U.S. Special Operations

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

Command in Tampa last summer. He returned to campus in May for Reunion Weekend with his wife, Kathleen, and daughters Kaitlyn (15), Maggie (11), and Ellie (8).

92 DAMIEN J. EGAN, Head Class Agent

52 Brookview Court, Groton, CT 06340-5528 degan2@hotmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 25th Reunion, Class of 1992, May 12–14, 2017

GRAHAM C. FULLER, Co-Head Class Agent 2937 Morris Road, Ardmore, PA 19003-1832 grahamcraigfuller@gmail.com PAUL M. GOZZO, Co-Head Class Agent 15 Country Farm Cross Road, Dover, NH 03820 11pgoz@gmail.com

95 ANTHONY D. SILVESTRO, Head Class Agent 4 Haskell Road, Andover, MA 01810 tony_silvestro@administaff.com JOHN MCAULIFFE ’95 emailed, “My wife and

I ran into MIKE and Mary Ellen O’NEILL in Captiva, Fla., over April break. Mike and I missed each other at AOF and Bowdoin by a year. I was ’95 and Mike was 2000. In any event, our paths have crossed many times since, and we’ve become good buddies, as most alums do. Our kids really hit it off too! Attached is a photo of the group during a Captiva sunset. Mike’s two sons are the bookends in the front row. Owen (2) is on the left, Finnegan

lmonte ’96 The family of Rick Be r in Baltimore, rbo Ha er Inn visited the m left to right: Fro .

16 Md., in April 20 (2), and Megan.

Rick, Riley (6), Shea

Colton Gateman (3 months), son of Kim and Chris Gateman ’99

The children of Claire and Craig Evans ’98: Camille (2) and Ben (4 months).

Jax Reilly ’99 connected at an Avon reception at Hub 51 in Chicago with Director of Development Jim Detora P’12 and Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08.

(4) is on the right. My daughter, Burke (3), is in the middle sporting her AOF T-shirt. Sheehan (7) and Jack (5) McAuliffe are in the back. Note: Mike’s wife is due in June with another boy, so the group will certainly be growing!”

96 MARK A. CARUSO, Head Class Agent

124 Westminster Road, Chatham, NJ 07928-1364 mcaruso@gmail.com PETER OBRE and his wife, Abi, announce the

birth of their son, Ellis Peter, born August 14, 2016.

AUSTIN SPERRY and his wife, Sally, announce the birth of their fourth child, Henry Brooks Sperry, born August 16, 2016. Earlier in the summer, Austin was back on campus because his son Jack participated in the Avon baseball camp.

97 TIMOTHY B. STAY, Co-Head Class Agent 2024 Upland Way #205, Philadelphia, PA 19131 timothystay@gmail.com KYLE R. YOUNGQUIST, Co-Head Class Agent

2 14th Street, Apt. 321, Hoboken, NJ 07030 bigkyleyoungquist@gmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 20th Reunion Class of 1997, May 12–14, 2017

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GEOFFREY R. BARLOW, Co-Head Class Agent

DAVID R. GRYBOSKI, Co-Head Class Agent

00 Old Farms Road, Avon, CT 06001 geoffbarlow34@gmail.com

101 South Bay Boulevard, Suite B-3 PO Box 732, Anna Maria, FL 34216-0732 dgryboski@tampabay.rr.com

J.A. CORRIGAN, Co-Head Class Agent

78 West 85th Street, Apt.5B, New York, NY 10024 jamesandrewcorrigan@gmail.com RICK BELMONTE, and his wife, Megan, enjoy life

in West Hartford, Conn., with their two daughters, Riley (6) and Shea (2). Over Reunion Weekend in May, Rick hosted gatherings for the Classes of ’96 and ’01 at Beachland Tavern, where he is manager, and Chip Kohn ’93 is the owner.

The KAREEM NORMAN Award is presented each year to the Avon Old Farms hockey player who “best demonstrates the qualities Kareem personified: tremendous passion for the sport of hockey, love of the Avon community, and an unbridled enthusiasm for life.” This year, the recipient of this award was DANIEL WINSLOW ’16. Dan was recognized for the impact he made on the ice, on the bench, and in the locker room. As a three-year member of the varsity hockey team and a co-captain this season, Dan provided excellent leadership throughout the season.

ANDREW M. KUNISCH, Co-Head Class Agent

1431 33rd Street NW, Apt. 2 Washington, DC 20007-2851 kunisch23@yahoo.com STEPHEN A. ZAPPONE, Co-Head Class Agent

20 Dudley Road, Litchfield, CT 06759 zappones@yahoo.com CHRIS GATEMAN and his wife, Kim, announce

the birth of their first child, John Colton Gateman, born February 27, 2016. Chris emailed that John will be following the family tradition of going by his middle name, Colton. (See photo, top left.)

00 MICHAEL J. O’NEILL, Co-Head Class Agent

Saltaire Drive, Old Lyme, CT 06371 michaeloneill27@yahoo.com DAN SEIDEN, Co-Head Class Agent

76 Crabapple Lane, Asheville, NC 28804 seidend@gmail.com

The Avonian Fall 2016

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Class Notes

Saud Qazi Ahmad ’00 caught up with Headmaster Ken LaRocque P ’01, ’10 at a May Avon reception at Hub 51 in Chicago.

Sam Cole ’04 and his wife, Heather, were able to catch up with Director of Development Jim Detora at the Dallas reception in September at the home of Mark Masinter ’82.

Nick Bonino ’07 and his wife, Lauren, pose their daughter, Maisie (8 months), in the Stanley Cup at the Old Farms Field House in August.

01

02

05

CHRISTOPHER D. COLEMAN, Co-Head Class Agent

WILLIAM N. PALMER, Head Class Agent

DANE G. LEMERIS, Head Class Agent

3801 39th Street NW #E83 Washington, DC 20016 christopherdcoleman@gmail.com

4736 Terrace Street, Kansas City, MO 64112 wnpalmer@gmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 15th Reunion, Class of 2002 May 12–14, 2017

19 E. 5th Street, Apt 29, New York, NY 10009 dlemeris@gmail.com

NICHOLAS H. LAROCQUE, Co-Head Class Agent

2151 Williams Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306-1417 larocque.nicholas@gmail.com PETE HARRISON started a new venture

called HomeBody, a mobile network for landlords and tenants.

TOMÁS MERIZALDE and his wife, Yoliana,

03 JAMES TANG, Head Class Agent

300 East 84th Street, Apt. 2A., New York, NY 10028 jamesttang@gmail.com

04

announce the birth of twins, André and Daniela, born on September 20, 2016. Big brother, Federico, welcomed them home. (See photo, p. 39, top left.)

MATTHEW H. MORAN, Head Class Agent 1605 Sansom Street #206, Philadelphia, PA 19103 matthew.h.moran@gmail.com

BILL BROOMALL and his wife, Jackie, welcomed

Avon Alum from the classes of 2004 and 2005 gathered in July 2016 in Morristown, N.J., for the wedding of JOE CUCCI and Aine O’Carrol.

their son, Benjamin, on September 15, 2016.

He joins big brother, William (2).

JOE CUCCI, TOBY SALMELAINEN, BRIAN WARNER ’05, DAN RIGHI ’05, JOHN MORI ’05, MATT MORAN, and PAT PERCELLA

were in attendance.

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

BRIAN WARNER was recently recruited by Avon alum DARREN CINTI ’91 to join his team at Heidrick & Struggles, an international executive search firm, in Boston. Darren, a partner at Heidrick who runs the Boston office, reached out to Brian over LinkedIn and leveraged the Avon connection. Brian jumped at the opportunity to network with a fellow Avonian, and they immediately hit it off. One thing led to another, and Brian joined Darren’s team last May. JON STANDEN works as an investment banker at Houlihan Lokey in Chicago. In May, he joined Avonians at Hub 51 for a Chicago reception hosted by MIKE SORVILLO ’00 .

Tomás Merizalde ’01 is photographed with his son Federico; wife, Yoli; and newborn twins, Daniela and Andres, born on September 20, 2016.

Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08 met Brooke Voss ’08 at the opening of his new business, John Brown General and Butchery in Monkton , Md.

06 KEVIN T. DRISCOLL, Co-Head Class Agent

700 1st Street, Apt 6Q, Hoboken, NJ 07030 kevin.t.driscoll@gmail.com JOSHUA P. PAVANO, Co-Head Class Agent 60 Forest Hills Drive, Farmington, CT 06032-3017 jpavano@gmail.com

07 CASEY R. COONS, Co-Head Class Agent

414 West 4th Street, Unit 1 South Boston, MA 02127 caseycoons4@gmail.com TYLER C. HADDAD, Co-Head Class Agent

81 Brookside Drive, Longmeadow, MA 01106-2319 tyler.c.haddad@gmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 10th Reunion, Class of 2007, May 12–14, 2017

ANDREW SOMEN is engaged to Dana Brooke Sharff, and a May 29 wedding is planned at the Columbus Hilton in Easton, Conn. Dana is a 2008 graduate of the Culver Academies in Culver, Ind., and graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business.

She is employed as a business systems analyst at the corporate headquarters of the Brooks Brothers clothing company, in Enfield, Conn. After graduating from Avon in 2007, Andrew graduated from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is employed as a senior accountant at Crowe Horwath, LLP in Simsbury, Conn., and is pursuing his master’s in accounting to become a certified public accountant.

08 WILL HENDRICKS, Co-Head Class Agent

117 NW Trinity Place #31, Portland, OR 97209 willheatonhendricks@gmail.com KEVIN SISTI, Co-Head Class Agent

64 Pinnacle Road, Farmington, CT 06030 ksideas@aol.com

SAM WARD entered Officer Candidate School after college and joined the exciting world of nuclear power. He was assigned to a nuclear powered sub, just completed a three-year tour out of Hawaii, and is getting ready to start a new chapter in his naval career as an aide to a three-star admiral.

The Avonian Fall 2016

39

Class Notes

Will ’09 and Val Coz were married on May 14 in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

question ’09 popped the Jake Bourgault poli Na e th ile hiking in September wh ast of Kauai. co rth Trail on the no Cole said “yes!”

Fortunately, Liz

Matt Coz ’10, Will Coz ’09, and Patrick Hampton ’10 enjoy an evening at the Boston College Club hosted by Brian and Kelly McKernan (P ’17, ’19).

09 JOHN (BEN) BEATH, Head Class Agent 12229 Prince Towne Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 beathj@gmail.com

12

14

JOHN D. SHAMBURGER, Head Class Agent

MICKOY R. NICHOL, Co-Head Class Agent

174 Upper County Road, Apt. # 2–3 Dennisport, MA 02639 mnichol@bates.edu

MATTHEW R. COZ, Head Class Agent

345 Brookview Drive, Atlanta, GA 30339 shamburgerd@gmail.com SAVE THE DATE! 5th Reunion, Class of 2012, May 12–14, 2017

214 Cherry Brook Road Canton, CT 06019 mcoz@trinity.edu

DYLAN SHAMBURGER graduated from

11

RAINES ’17, and GENTRY ’20, are current

WILL COZ married Valeria Cerda on May 14, 2016, in Quintana Roo, Mexico, near Cancun.

Boston is home for them.

10

Bowdoin this past May. His two younger brothers,

OLIVER K. ROTHMANN, Head Class Agent 0 Ardsley Way, Avon, CT 06001 olliekloss@aol.com OLLIE ROTHMAN has taken a job in the Avon

Old Farms admissions office.

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

students at Avon.

13 WILSON P. MEYER, Head Class Agent 2 Torrey Pines Lane, Newport Beach, CA 92660 wilsonpmeyer@gmail.com

RYAN D. PHILLIPS, Co-Head Class Agent

621 Allen Court NW, Atlanta, GA 30327-3511 ryanphillips@utexas.edu

Dan Gau vin Jim Deto ’11, Director o fD ra the Bosto P’12, and PJ Mc evelopment Innes ’1 n Colleg 1 at e Club

Anthony Maselli ’14 and Johnny Witkowski ’15 were part of the exciting Boston College baseball team’s 2016 run in the tournament.

Cooper O’Connor ’11 meets Mac Daly ’11 at the Boston College Club for the Avon spring reception.

Jack Sundberg ’12 and Chris Madera ’11 connected at a hotel before playing each other in a professional baseball game.

Jack is in the Nationals system and Chris is with the Red Sox.

Edwin Foster and Kyle Fo ’11 ster ’11 in Chatham, M ass., with Henry Coon s ’71

15 WILLIAM C. DAVIS, Co-Head Class Agent 11 Parker Road, Avon, CT 06001 cdavis7@me.com CHRISTIAN E. DIANTONIO, Co-Head Class Agent

520 Dingleton Hill Road, Cornish, NH 03745-4521 harleyald@msn.com TIM BAKER, relaxing in a park in Surrey,

England, after finishing an exam, quickly jumped into the River Taff to pull six teenagers to safety after he heard someone shouting for help. Tim, a first-year neuroscience student at Cardiff University, noticed a group of people looking into the River Taff near Blackweir. As he approached the area, he saw a group of boys in the water. They were shouting for help, and Tim realized one of the boys was screaming “Call for help.” Tim said, “I didn’t really think about it—I just went in the water and

swam across to save them.” Tim, originally from South London, had worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool for around three years as a weekend and holiday job while he was at school. While Tim was rescuing the boys, an onlooker called emergency services and two ambulances, a fire crew, and police arrived at the scene shortly after the boys reached shore. Tim, who plays for the Cardiff University rugby team, said the boys were very cold and were treated by paramedics. “One of the boys came to shake my hand and thank me afterward,” he added. “I thought that was very nice of him. I only did what my instinct told me to do, and as I have lifeguard training, I thought it should be me who jumps in to save them.”

16 MATTHEW HORTON, Head Class Agent 41 Ironwood Road, Guilford, CT 06437 khorton@hortonllc.us TUCKER SYMES was wearing an Avon shirt

that someone in Washington, D.C., recognized while he was running. The guy turned out to be BEN COUHIG ’02, a classmate of and a congressional aide, who gave the Avon students a two-hour exclusive tour of the capital the next day—the brotherhood in action!

ANTHONY MASELLI ’14 and JOHNNY WITKOWSKI were part of the exciting Boston College baseball team’s 2016 run in the tournament.

The Avonian Fall 2016

41

Faculty Notes The wedding of Dorothy Blanchard’s granddaughter in Newport, R.I., October 2015. Pictured from left to right: Ken Blanchard ’80; Jamie Gilmore ’76; Dorothy Blanchard P ’80, GP ’00, ’02; Tim Trautman ’75, P ’03; Erik Lundberg ’02; Chris Lundberg ’00. Dorothy Blanchard worked at Avon as assistant to Don Pierpont and Seth Mendell and in the library from 1968–2007.

Ava Madison, newest grandchild of Dean Peter and Sue Evans, was born in September. Pictured are proud grandma, Sue Evans, with proud mommy, Brittany Evans Klocek.

aster r Headm at forme rd bir thday 3 Present 8 ril 16, n’s nt on Ap Trautma George bigail’s Restaura an; former tA lanag dinner a , n Skip F ere Dea an and his wife w , 6 1 0 2 r Trautm n Peter Evans; te s a m d Hea d Dea ; Sue an Barbara utman ’75. ra T and Tim

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

Debie and John ’68

“Avon was a game changer for me and a key to whatever success I achieved after graduating. So, I wanted to provide the same kind of opportunity to a qualified and deserving boy that the J. Aron Charitable Foundation gave me.”

—John Wendler ’68

For more information about planned gifts for Avon Old Farms School, please contact Robin Delnicki, Associate Director of Development, at 860-404-4156 or at delnickir@avonoldfarms.com.

Avon Move on the

Gulf Stream

The Weiss home, hosted by Robin and Bill Weiss ’62 (P’90) March 22, 2016

Front row: Tim Trautman ’75, Granny Toogood ’61, Pat Toogood, Bill David ’61, Henry Coons ’71, Bobbie Rozinsky, Al Rozinsky ’62, Fred Michel ’77. Back row: Kathy and Elliot Tuckel ’57, Janet and George Seifert ’62, George Purnell ’68, Bill Weiss ’62, Robin Weiss.

Boston

Boston College Club, hosted

by Brian and Kelly McKernan (P’17, ’19), April 5, 2016

Brian McKernan P’17,’19, Brian Emerson ’96, Brandon Morrocco ’01, Kelly McKernan P’17,’19, Matt Gardella P’18

Front row: Director of Development Jim Detora P ’12, Matt Lauro ’09, Glenn Sieber P ’17, Tom Ashe ’92, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72 P ’08, Ian Lapin ’09, Drew Widger ’98, PJ McInnes ’11, Dan Gauvin ’11, Casey Coons ’07, Tim Trautman ’75 P ’03. Back row: Travis Tucker ’90, Brendan Mahoney ’05, Rick Tremble ’92, Brian Emerson ’96, John Van Allen ’13, Paul Matthews ’94, Cooper O’Connor ’11, Mac Daly ’11, Brandon Morrocco ’01, Mook Lawrence ’05, Harry Lyons ’11, Brian Orr ’04, Dean Peter Evans P ’98, Wendy Safe P ’18, Maria and Myles Keroack P ’18

Harry Lyons ’11, Matt Lauro ’09, John Van Allen’13, Rick Tremble ’92, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Tim Trautman ’75, Jerry Garvey ’82, Dean Peter Evans, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12

Rick Tremble ’92, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Mook Lawrence ’05, Brendan Mahoney ’05, and Brian Orr ’04

Kate Villa, Harriet and Richard Steinberg ’61, Tim Trautman ’75

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

44

Fall 2010 The Avonian

Dean Peter Evans, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, Ian Lapin ’09, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Glenn Sieber P’17, and Harry Lyons ’11

Tom Ashe ’92, Travis Tucker ’90, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Tim Trautman ’75, Brendan Mahoney ’05, Dean Peter Evans

Chicago

Hub 51, hosted by Mike Sorvillo ’00, May 18, 2016

From left, kneeling: Peter Seltenright ’07, Leslie Spaulding ’08, Sang Hyun Ahn ’06. Standing from left: Bryan Cheong ’05, Saud Qazi Ahmad ’00, Chane Keller ’08, Jack Winkler ’10, Griff Leahy ’04, Headmaster LaRocque, Director Ken Winemaster ’83, Stewart Mather ’97, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Jax Reilly ’99, and Dean Peter Evans

Chane Keller ’08 with Mike Sorvillo ’00

Headmaster LaRocque and Scott Gwilliam ’87

Stewart Mather ’97 and Director of Development Jim Detora P’12

Scott Gwilliam ’87, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12 with Director Ken Winemaster ’83

Leslie Spaulding ’08, Jack Winkler ’10, Peter Seltenright ’07, Dean Peter Evans, Saud Qazi Ahmad ’00, and Brian Cheong ’05

Sang Hyun Ahn ’06, Leslie Spaulding ’08, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Brian Cheong ’05, Saud Qazi Ahmad ’00

Headmaster Ken LaRocque P ’01, ’10 and Jax Reilly ’99

Dallas

The Masinter home, hosted by Mark Masinter ’80 September 12, 2016 Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08 and Jared Febbroriello ’97

Sam Cole ’04 and Director of Development Jim Detora P’12

Mark Masinter ’82, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Caroline Brown, and Robin Brown ’91

Spencer Beal ’95, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Robin Brown ’91, and Caroline Brown

Tom Davey ’80 and Alex Amory ’85

Dean Peter Evans P’98, Tom Davey ’80, and Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08 The Avonian Fall 2016

45

Avon Move on the

Jamie Tang ’03 and Jason Torey ’09

New York City Dorrian’s Red Hand, hosted by Jamie Tang ’03 June 16, 2016

John Van Allen ’13, Brad Glennon ’11, Jack Courage ’11, and Kieran Morris ’11

Manuel Ramirez ’71, Olga Ramirez, and Henry Coons ’71

Nate Taylor ’14 and Taj Lewis ’92

Mike Recchia ’07, Stephen Driscoll ’06, Annie Mendez, and Blaise Driscoll ’08

Paul Severni ’07 and Pat Miller ’07

Tim Trautman ’75 and Garrett Bowden ’69

JP Rotchford ’09 and Jared Ciejek ’09

Andrew Corrigan ’98, TJ Dougherty ’11, and Jackie Chen ’15

Nantucket The Westmoor Club

Co-hosted by Don and Jennifer Torey P’09, ’11 and David and Suzy Jarvis P’17, August 10, 2016

Jennifer Torey P’09, ’11 and Suzy Jarvis P’17

Cathy and Brett Jefferson ’84 and Deb and Dean Graham ’84

Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, Jonathan Haspilaire ’07, and Kevin Sisti ’07

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Fall 2010 The Avonian

David Jarvis P’17 and son Will ’17

Collin Rissolo ’15, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, and Justin Imperatore ’12

Headmaster Ken LaRocque P ’01, ’10 and Kelly McKernan P ’17, ’19

David Billings ’66 and Headmaster Ken LaRocque P ’01, ’10

Suzy Jarvis P’17, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, and Heidi LaRocque P’01, ’10

Houston

Astros game at Minute Maid Park, hosted by Adams ’56 and Jerry McHenry Houston, Texas, September 14, 2016

Mark Driscoll, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, and Mark Driscoll ’73

Adam Josef ’94, George Springer ’08, and Richard Kaplan ’82

Nick Hermandorf, Tyler Bambrick ’07, Dean Peter Evans P’98, Spencer Beal ’85, Dean Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Ed Stewart ’82, George Springer ’08, Jack Sperry, James Boone ’88, Ad McHenry, Adams McHenry ’56, Richard Kaplan ’82, Adam Josef ’94, Director of Development Jim Detora P’12, Brooks Sperry P’96, and Austin Sperry ’96

Jack Sperry, Austin Sperry ’96, George Springer ’08, and Brooks Sperry P’96

Spencer Beal ’85, Dean Peter Evans P’98, and Ed Stewart ’82

George Springer ’08 and Tyler Bambrick ’07

The school has learned of the deaths of the following alumni: LYNN HOUSTON, WIFE OF FORMER

LYNN TROXELL, III ’66

HUNTINGTON ELDRIDGE, JR. ’69

FACULTY, HARRY HOUSTON

MATSON G. “BUD” EWELL ’40

CHARLES K. JONAS ’70

EDWARD B. RIGGS ’44

ANTHONY M. WATERS ’86

C. PHILIP WERNER ’49

HOMER CLINTON VAUGHAN ’88

ANTHONY M. LESTER ’55

MICHAEL CANAPARI ’92

JOHN WARREN VISCONTI ’56

BRENDAN ROBERT HELBERG ’10

The Avonian Fall 2016

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The Last Word

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Fall 2016 The Avonian

Taking in the Winter Air “Sports are important moral builders to the blind as well as to those who can see. At Avon, the blinded soldier learns to participate in a variety of sports, including swimming, skiing, horseback riding, bowling, golf, hiking and riding ‘on a bicycle built for two.’”

From Old Farms Convalescent Hospital

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID 500 Old Farms Road Avon, Connecticut 06001 www.AvonOldFarms.com

Change Service Requested

Inside:

The Water Tower Reimagined

Avon, CT 06001 Permit No. 12