Avonian - Spring 2010

Spring 2010

The

CusterLegacy ArT CuSTer, Dean of Faculty

The Legacy of Avon Old Farms School KriSTiAn BuSh ’88 | OLd FArmS COnvALeSCenT hOSpiTAL AvOn WinS The Green Cup ChALLenGe

Avon Old Farms School Headmaster Kenneth H. LaRocque

Provost John T. Gardner

Editor Morgan C. Cugell

Director of Development Peter Evans

Director of Communications Timothy Stay ’97

Designer 2k Design www.2kDesign.com

Alumni Notes Lizabeth Abramson

Photographers Peter Deckers ’90 Jonathan Lester ’63 Spencer Sloan Timothy Stay ’97

Printer Lithographics, Inc., Farmington, CT

Contributors Thanks to everyone who contributed to this magazine. Special thanks to Lizabeth Abramson, Ann Beloin, Cheryl Benoit, Anne Black, Graham Callaghan ’95, Heather Callaghan, Brian Cugell, Peter Deckers, Peter Evans, Sue Evans, Susan Haile, Carol Ketcham, Ken LaRocque, Dan Seiden ’00, Tim Stay ’97, and Christine Walder.

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: (800) 336-8195 Fax: (860) 675-7135

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.

Artwork from one of Avon’s most talented young artists, Giri Suarsana ’11. Giri was one of four Avonians recently recognized at the 21st annual Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition, held at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford on January 31st. The exhibition, which is the largest student visual arts event in the state, was featured in the Silpe Gallery through February 5. Giri was awarded a Silver Key in Mixed Media and an Honorable Mention in Drawing, while Gihoon Song ’10 was recognized with a Gold Key in Drawing, Jingzhe Cui ’11 received an Honorable Mention in Mixed Media, and Robert Barker ’12 won a Gold Key and the Simonds Award for Best in Traditional Photography. Congrats!

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.

LeTTer FrOm The ediTOr

Features

12 The Legacy of Avon Old Farms School

by Morgan C. Cugell 30 The Costellos: Frank ’60 and John ’85

by Susan Haile

p9

48 The Last Word: “Alumnus Football”

by Grantland Rice spotlights

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p16

Athletic Spotlight: Josh dionne ’10

by Morgan C. Cugell

20 Faculty Focus: Art Custer

by Susan Haile 24 Student Spotlight: patrick hampton ’10

by Morgan C. Cugell

p20

Departments

2 4 8 26 32

p24

headmaster village Green Athletics The elephant remembers Class notes

www.avonoldfarms.com

visit to check out our new school website!

p28 CoveR PHoTo: Dean of Faculty Art Custer. Photo by Spencer Sloan.

dear readers, This issue is all about legacy— and everything that word means.

From sets of brothers and cousins, to faculty who have been here for decades, to original architecture that has stood the test of time, Avon Old Farms School is steeped in the history of legacy, and i was proud to learn about such a revered tradition. See if you can connect all of the driscolls on page 16, or find your classmates in old yearbook photos. dean of Faculty Art Custer is particularly inspiring, as well; the Custer legacy extends all the way back to the riddle era!

This issue also highlights the Old Farms Convalescent hospital, and the ceremony that took place this past ve v teran’s day to commemorate the hospital’s 65th anniversary.

The entire AOF community was touched by the extraordinary legacy of the veterans who came to campus for the occasion.

Stay tuned for your next issue, which will be in mailboxes in early September, followed by the traditional fall magazine in late november. We’re trying out a new format at the start of this school year: a miniature issue, with full, timely coverage of the spring athletics season, the Blue Blazer Ball, Grandparent’s day, reunion, and Commencement.

As always, i welcome your feedback!

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

SW-COC-002935

From the headmaster

by Kenneth h. Larocque

A

A year ago our economy was in a freefall; Avon’s endowment, like the endowments of so many independent secondary schools and colleges, was ravaged, and the consequences of this situation at school were unpleasant. We were forced to restructure faculty, staff, and administrative positions, freeze salaries, adjust employee benefits, and increase expectations for everyone. We all rejoice that the economy has begun its arduous climb back to a state of health, but know that the road to recovery will be long and will require patience, discipline, and careful planning.

Over the past year, the Old Farms family has recognized the challenges we face, and has supported us in an unprecedented manner. Last year, we set a record for unrestricted annual giving, and that support was instrumental in seeing us through the most trying time in memory. This year, we are on target to

meet our annual giving benchmarks, and the major operating restructuring we enacted last year is helping us to meet our fiscal goals. We are excited to begin to proceed with various programs that were set aside last year because of concerns with the economy. For example, this September we will be offering, for the first time, mandarin as a part of our language program.

The 2009-2010 school year has been a banner year in many ways. Our hockey team won its record eighth division i new england hockey Championship; our musicians and visual artists were honored for impressive accomplishments in regional and national competition; and, for the first time, Avon Old Farms finished first in the extremely competitive northeast division of the Green Cup Challenge! This competition challenged schools to decrease their consumption of electricity over the course of a month in a measurable way.

Alumni remember the transformative experience they gained in the Village of Old Farms and want their sons, grandsons, nephews, and other relatives to have the same opportunity. By enrolling legacy students at school, we are strengthening the Avon community in important ways.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

FrOm The heAdmASTer

in typical Avon fashion, our boys decided if we were going to compete, we should strive to win, and we were successful in cutting our electrical usage by over 18 percent. Avonians also distinguished themselves as community servants as they volunteered to work on service projects in Texas, South Carolina, and ecuador during their spring break, and raised thousands of dollars to support needy children in hartford at the holiday season. The Class of 2010 has been a driving force in our many accomplishments this year.

The theme of this issue of The Avonian focuses on one of the fastest growing and largest constituencies within our student body: our legacies. This year we opened school with 89 students whom we consider to be legacies, representing well over 20 percent of our student population. To qualify as a legacy, you must be an Avonian who has a relative who attended our school previously. Because Avon was closed during the middle of the 1940’s and served as a convalescent hospital for the rehabilitation of blinded World War ii veterans, and the size of the student body following our reopening in 1948 was small for several years, few legacies enrolled here for many years. That situation has changed quickly and dramatically over the past decade, and it is another important signal of the positive evolution of Old Farms. Alumni remember the transformative experience they gained in the village of Old Farms and want their sons, grandsons, nephews, and other relatives to have the same opportunity. By enrolling legacy students at school, we are strengthening the Avon community in important ways.

in ending, i want to congratulate John Gardner, our provost and varsity hockey coach, who is finishing his 35th year at Old Farms. John is considered by most to be the preeminent schoolboy hockey coach in the country, having won over 600 games and eight new england championships.

This April, he was awarded the Gold Key Award by the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance. To many the Gold Key Award serves as Connecticut’s Sports hall of Fame and includes such state sports figures as Connie mack, Floyd Little, Bobby v valentine, Calvin murphy, Gordie howe, Jim Calhoun, rebecca Lobo, and president G.W. Bush. And on may 1 in naples, Florida, the American hockey Coaches Association presented John with the John mariucci Award “to honor a secondary school coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm of the Godfather of u.S. hockey, John mariucci.” For 35 years, John has served our boys selflessly as the quintessential boarding school master, and we are thrilled that his special efforts in coaching hockey are being appropriately recognized.

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.

Avon Old Farms School Class of 2010

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AOF Tops the Ranks in Green Cup Challenge Winged Beavers Finish First Among Northeast Boarding Schools Joining the Green Schools Alliance in 2009 (www.greenschoolsalliance.org), Avon entered the Green Cup Challenge for the first time this year and competed in the Northeast Boarding Schools Division, which included over 50 schools of the 200 participating nationwide.

The Green Cup Challenge is “the original, student-driven, inter-school energy challenge…to measure and reduce electricity use and Greenhouse Gas emissions.” Entering the competition was a great way to raise awareness and rally the community around the effort of curtailing electricity consumption and reducing carbon emissions as part of the green initiatives gaining momentum on campus.

The school was already in the midst of an effort to be more environmentally aware; an extensive Energy Audit of the school was completed in October of 2008. Within a year, the school had implemented all of its payback projects, including converting almost all of the light bulbs on campus to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), placing weather

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Spring 2010 The TheAvonian Avonian

stripping on doors and areas that were drafty, repairing broken windows on campus, and replacing some dated appliances and home boilers.

Additionally, the heating system in Elephant Dormitory was completely re-done during the summer of 2009, which also marked the installation of the school’s solar array. Building set points have been lowered from 70 degrees to 68 degrees; night set backs are at 60 degrees. Automated heating and cooling controls in buildings on campus were improved where possible, as well.

Helping to achieve victory in the Green Cup Challenge, awareness was increased in all dormitories; designated students known as Light Hawks monitored electricity usage in their assigned areas, and a highly successful, inter-dormitory competition spanned the four weeks of the Green Cup Challenge, January 25—February 22. The competition centered on unannounced “Dorm Raids,” wherein small groups of faculty and student volunteers would check dormitories

during morning meeting to calculate the percentage of rooms that had shut off lights and turned off other electronics. Each week, the dormitory with the highest percentage of rooms without lights, computers, or other electronics left on won a pizza party.

Pelican Dormitory, whose first-week number was a low 59 percent, raised its counts to 100 percent, 100 percent, and 95 percent for the final three weeks. According to Nate Riley ’10, co-president of the Environmental Club and monitor in Diogenes Dormitory, “the response from Pelican after [the] first week is the epitome of the seriousness the school took towards the competition against other schools and amongst our dorms. Also, being a monitor going through the halls and seeing guys leave the dorm, who normally would not have turned off their lights and electronics, but who now do, speaks of the cohesiveness and the school spirit so prevalent here.”

During the four weeks of dorm raids, six of eight dormitories succeeded in

Village Green having 100 percent of their rooms without anything left on, and the total percentage of rooms campus-wide without anything left on was 87 percent.

One of the main suggestions coming from the 2008 energy Audit concerned changing school culture to pay greater attention to everyday instances of wasting energy, and the inter-dormitory competition contributed significantly to our energy reduction. When the final results were tallied, Avon had surpassed all of the other schools in the northeast Boarding Schools division iivision in energy savings, achieving an 18.72 percent reduction in kWh compared to its average electricity use in the past three Februaries!

Ben Larocque ’10, who is a member of the environmental Club and was a dorm raid volunteer, commented, “The whole process really showed me how far Avon has come in the four years i have been here. As an underclassman, i can remember listening to mr. Last give a chapel talk about how much unnecessary waste Avon produces. The community’s response to the GCC showed me that Avon has stepped up to the plate on this issue.”

Similarly, headmaster Ken Larocque echoed the sentiment that the late michael Stradley, the driving force behind much of the school’s green initiative in recent years, “would be very proud of this accomplishment, and his spirit was probably with us throughout the Green Cup Challenge.”

Congratulations to all in the Avon community who made this win possible!

Young Entrepreneurs Travel to Boston By dan Seiden ’00, Club Advisor in 2008, the entrepreneur Club emerged on campus, and has since evolved into The Avon Edge Club. in addition to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among the student body, this group participates in résumé workshops, interview preparation, and financial literacy certification. highlights from the school year so far have included a partnership with Y.e.S. (Yale entrepreneurial Society) and the Yale School of management for a panel discussion with venture capitalists and young entrepreneurs; an invitation to participate with the m.i.T. enterprise Forum; and the chance to attend lectures from world-renowned speakers such as Steve Forbes.

On march 29, returning early from their spring break, 14 students traveled to Boston to the Fidelity investments headquarters to experience a behindthe-scenes look into the world of finance. hosted by AOF Board member Brian Conroy ’82, these young men had the unique opportunity to gain insight into possible careers in the financial sector while gaining valuable advice from accomplished alumni at Fidelity like mr.

Conroy, mike O’neill ’00, and mike Cashel ’80, as well as Jack Sebastian ’84, who works for Goldman Sachs.

The boys sat overlooking the trading floor with stock symbols and CnBC screens constantly streaming the latest breaking news and taking the temperature of the markets. After the morning session the students were guided through the Chart room, learning how presidential elections have impacted the market and how the

economy’s progression can be tracked simply through magazine covers. next stop: FCAT, the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology. The students stepped into what can only be described as Willy Wonka’s factory for “techies.” Based on the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, Fidelity’s technology department strives to improve every day. The innovation at FCAT involved everything from infrared optic recognition to “magic” wands and pens that make the remote control and the every day writing instrument obsolete. The demonstrations at FCAT left the boys wide-eyed and excited about the next generation of technology that will be at their fingertips. After an overview on portfolio management and research, the students finished the busy day at the Capital markets branch located at the World Trade Center.

Throughout the visit the students noticed several similarities between the financial world at Fidelity and life at Avon. They observed the prevalence of the ‘team’ mentality, and that both institutions foster the competitive spirit.

The club’s gracious alumni hosts shared not only their financial expertise, but also some life advice for the world beyond the Farm. mike Cashel encouraged the seniors to “own” their college decisions and Brian Conroy explained that they do not have to solely focus on economics to pursue a career in finance, and cited his degree in religion as a testament to that. mike O’neill stressed that above all else, they have to be passionate about whatever they do, and success will surely follow.

The Avon Edge is the framework for professional networking and career services available in the AOF alumni network. Avon is at the forefront of online networking, utilizing platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn Groups to provide both current students and alumni with extensive professional resources. To connect with the rest of the alumni community please visit www.avonoldfarms.com/alumni.

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Village Green

Jackson Howard ’05

Since graduating from Avon

Old Farms School in 2005,

Jackson Howard has visited five

continents, as both a student and as a budding young photographer.

“I studied photography for three years at Avon,” explains Jackson. “In traveling, I’ve been able to capture unique perspectives on different cultures.”

As a student at Vassar College, Jackson majored in Latin American and Latino Studies, and minored in Hispanic Studies, an educational pursuit that afforded him the unique opportunity to combine

his passions for travel, culture, and photography. As a student, he spent a full academic year studying in Bolivia and Chile, in addition to two summer semesters abroad, in Mexico and South Korea.

“Traveling during college helped me develop my intercultural communication skills, the seeds of which were planted at AOF,” observes Jackson. “Making friends with students from all over the world at Avon taught me to take advantage of learning about different cultures and languages.”

Jackson cites Avon as the foundation

for his desire to see more of the world, and to learn more about the lives and cultures of his classmates.

“My interest in foreign cultures grew at Avon, and since leaving I have traveled to more than 15 countries,” notes Jackson. “A lot of this has been out of curiosity, thanks to my major in college, I was able to explore that passion and learn on a constant, hands-on basis.”

Having graduated from Vassar in 2009, Jackson is now headed to graduate school at American University’s School of International Service.

Far left: Tifariti, Western Sahara, in August 2009. “The refugees held a large gathering where they played music, and these women were leaving in the late evening.”

Left: Taken in March 2009 atop a hill in the refugee camp of Smara. “I had gone to the top of a hill to take a large panoramic photo and these children came out to say hello.”

Below: Jackson Howard ’05, on a visit to the Saharawi refugee camps.

© 2010 Jackson Howard Photography

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

Kristian Bush ’88 Sugarland Star Spends a Day on Campus Kristian Bush ’88 visited Avon Old Farms School on Thursday, march 4, spending his first day back on campus in nearly 20 years. Kristian is one half of the country music super-duo Sugarland, also featuring Jennifer nettles. The group has enjoyed massive success over the last five years, including several American music Awards and Academy of Country music Awards, in addition to two Grammy Awards in 2009, for Best Country performance by a duo or Group and Best Country Song, both for their hit single, “Stay.”

Arriving Wednesday evening, A Kristian enjoyed dinner at headmaster Larocque’s house, along with dean peter ev e ans, his wife Sue, and former headmaster George Trautman, who had acted as a mentor to Kristian during his time as a student at Avon. in fact, it was George who first gave Kristian access to a room near the Adams Theatre where he would spend time practicing his guitar and writing songs.

Kristian addressed the Avon K

community at morning meeting on Thursday, where he recalled the “anxiety” of morning meeting, and observed all the positive change that he saw had occurred since he had graduated, such as the thriving performing arts program. he spoke of all the songs—“bad songs”—he wrote during his three years at AOF, and encouraged student musicians to write as much as they can, about whatever they’re feeling. he recalled that many of his songs were written while in the water as a varsity swimmer, because his stroke kept rhythm. he also encouraged students to endure the countless rejections they’ll face before that one big ‘yes.’ “i have a very unlikely life,” he commented. “But it’s possible for you, too. You have to know you can do it.”

Kristian then spent the day attending classes and answering questions from students. he spent time with the riddlers, Avon’s elite singing group; Kristian himself was an inaugural member of the riddlers when the group was formed during his time at school. The riddlers, as well as the student-run small group, the Sing-ed Beavers, performed for Kristian, who in turn opened up the class to questions. he spoke of his busy travel and tour schedule, his “humbling” experiences recording in the famed Abbey road Studios in London, and his tendency to still get nervous. he also discussed Sugarland’s recent participation in Quincy Jones’ remake of “We Are the World” to benefit relief efforts in haiti.

Academic Spotlight: From Bach to The Beatles now ow finishing its debut semester, this new music appreciation o course, taught by Chamber ensemble director Sarah Larsen, has become a popular addition to the arts department.

The course was designed to introduce the history of the greatest music and composers of the last 400 years to musicians and non-musicians alike. The course is open to all students, and no formal music training is required.

Students are asked to listen to and identify major works from Bach, mozart, Beethoven, debussy, Stravinsky, and Copland, as well as many others, while they improve their listening skills. The course also surveys American music from the 18th century to present day, focusing on blues, jazz, swing, pop, rock, country, and rap. Assignments and discussions focus on how social and political events have shaped the way music was written and enjoyed. Groundbreaking instruments or techniques in music, and the artists who pioneered them, are also covered, such as auto-tune, a form of which originated with

vivaldi iivaldi valdi and is now used by rap superstar Lil Wayne.

Additionally, the class enjoys periodic guest speakers and performers, such as John the Savage, who are currently touring.

The band came in to talk about their lives on the road, and they performed and handed out free Cds. C The class recently also engaged in an exciting debate about the validity of antique performance practice and historical reproduction.

The music appreciation eciation course, which fulfills the arts requirement, was made possible by the generosity of Gilman Ordway ’44.

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Athletics Jon Quick ’05: Team uSA Jon Quick ’05 recently represented the united States in the XXi Winter Olympic Games in vancouv v er, B.C. Team uSA won a silver medal, losing to Canada 2-3 in overtime in the championship game.

This is Jon’s second full season with the nhL’s L’s Los Angeles Kings. he continues to L lead the Kings as the starting goaltender, and currently holds a 39-24-5-4 record in net this year for the Kings with a .908 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average in 69 games played. his 39 wins are a singleseason record for the Kings, passing mario Lessard’s 35 wins in the 1980-81 season.

Athletic Spotlight: Josh

dionne ’10

Since arriving as a sophomore transfer in 2008, Josh dionne ’10 has been a three-sport varsity athlete, competing on the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams.

Originally from merrimack, new hampshire, Josh transferred from the Brooks School in north Andover, mass., and made an immediate impact on the athletic scene at Avon.

To date, he’s won a new england T prep school soccer championship and not one but two new england division i hockey titles; he was also part of the 2009 lacrosse team that broke deerfield Academy’s two-year undefeated streak.

This year, he was named captain of both the soccer and lacrosse teams.

Though he has enjoyed immense success in the athletic arena, Josh is

quick to credit his teammates and coaches as instrumental factors in all of his accomplishments, claiming ron and Sue nentwig as “on campus parents” and coaches Gardner and doyle as his biggest supporters; “simply because they believed in me, i did all i could not to let them down,” he says.

Also crucial in his success is Josh’s sheer passion. ““Athletics have opened doors to the future that i couldn’t have imagined existing,” observes Josh.

“Through sports, i’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime, whether it be with my classmates now, or alumni who graduated years ago. i’ve made some amazing memories playing for Avon—without sports, i honestly don’t know what i would have done.”

Josh cites this year’s playoff hockey tournament as one of the defining

moments in his career as a Winged Beaver—specifically, emerging as champions after a rough season start and the ensuing 7th-place seed in postseason play. “i’ve been fortunate to have been a part of a lot of unforgettable moments at Avon,” notes Josh, “and have had the pleasure to play with some of the most athletic kids in the country. We had a special group of kids this year, who grew very close as the season went on, and there was no better way of ending my hockey career at Avon than on top, with a championship, and i can’t thank the team, the coaches, and the Avon Army enough for giving me that memory that will last a lifetime.”

Josh osh will attend duke university next year, u where he will compete on the Blue devil e evil varsity lacrosse team.

Athletics AOF hockey Captures 8th new england Title

COACh’S COrner

After getting off to a slow, 5-5-1 start, varsity hockey made dramatic progress during the second half of the season on their way to a post-season berth as the #7 seed out of 61 participating schools in the new england prep School elite 8 Championships. On march 3, a legion of Avon student fans flooded the Gunnery School rink to witness the Winged Beavers defeat the #2 seed by a score of 7-3. An exciting 5-4 win over nobles obles in the semi-f semi-finals set up the championship game against northfield mount hermon, where the Winged Beavers, super charged by “the Avon Army,” skated past a well-coached and talented nmh team to capture Coach John Gardner’s record-breaking 8th new england division i hockey championship. Congrats!

Coaching is Teaching By rob dowling ’91, head Coach, var v sity Baseball Coaching is a privilege. doing it at Avon Old Farms, as an alumnus, is a special opportunity. While Avon has a firm commitment to sports, the school as an academic institution believes that there is educational value in athletics, and we use sports as a venue to teach.

W i treasure most about this What responsibility is that sports do so much to teach young people about themselves. As a coach, i know my job is to help athletes learn more about who they are and to develop their skills. Some of those skills are physical, but the most important skills they can develop are mental. in n this regard, baseball is a particularly challenging game.

The game has so much to do with failure; it can be cruel and frustrating. in n baseball, the opportunities to teach young people how to best cope with failure, aspire and persevere, and give maximum effort, are rich. Great hitters still fail 7 out of 10 times; pitchers throw good pitches that get hit; the ball takes bad hops; the umpires make bad calls. Baseball devours everyone—even the most talented players.

Organizing an appropriate response to that reality is the ultimate test for

baseball players and coaches—to compete relentlessly in a tough and unforgiving game both as an individual and as a team. Continuing to strive for success in a game that involves so much failure provides an opportunity for growth and development. This environment allows players to learn how to cope with challenges, and helps them realize what they can do to successfully confront difficult situations. The truth is that failure and responsibility are important elements in learning.

The point is that all baseball can do is give people an opportunity to do their best to overcome challenges with their maximum effort and their best attitude.

They need to take ownership over their performance and effort. They must keep working at it because success is not guaranteed. Talented baseball players and teams cannot let the negative or the routine failures overwhelm them. iff they do, they will never “win.” They have to keep pushing and trying to get better; even if they know they’re going to fall short at times.

We play the game because success

brings about a unique amount of joy, fun, and satisfaction in an activity we all have loved since we were boys; however, we never focus on the results, as those are not guaranteed in baseball—we focus on the process of learning and striving to get better. Learning that process is teaching; seeing athletes develop an understanding about how to be their best in a competitive environment is the thrill.

These characteristics are transferable to life. Sports help young people learn about themselves, and teach young people how to be their best, how to compete, and how to be on a team. That is what inspires me about coaching—not my love for the game, but my affection for helping athletes learn about who they are what they can achieve with their best efforts and attitude.

The The Avonian Avonian Spring 2010

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Highlights

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Fall 2009 Spring 2010 The The Avonian Avonian

Athletics

S p r i n g 2010

The The Avonian Avonian Spring Fall 2009 2010

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Legacy

the

of Avon Old Farms School

By Morgan C. Cugell

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

At Avon Old Farms School, legacy takes many forms.

The legacy of Theodate pope riddle, and the historic boys school she created, is undeniable. So is the legacy of faculty members and administrators who have made Avon their home, and seen nearly four decades of change, of graduating classes, of history in the making. many faculty members are also alumni, carrying their legacy across generations of education. members of the riddle Society leave their legacy by acknowledging Avon in their wills, with a bequest to the school. Founder’s era furniture, photography, artwork, and signage can be found in the archives, a testament to the legacy of the School’s magnificent campus.

And then there are the legacies themselves: currently learning in the same classrooms as their fathers, or playing on the same athletic fields as their cousins, eating lunch in riddle refectory with their brothers, or, in some cases, treading the same ground as some of their ancestors.

The long-standing tradition of legacy at Avon Old Farms School shows no signs of slowing down; the influence that a boy’s legacy has on his journey to becoming a ‘man of Avon’ helps make a student’s time on campus an unforgettable experience, and one that he’ll share with his family for years to come.

Did you know?

There were 90 legacies enrolled at Avon Old Farms School during the 2009-2010 school year.

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Legacy

the

of Avon Old Farms School

the

Bourgault family

Avon was the best time of my life- and it is still a major part of it.

Jack ’49, John ’80 (faculty), Jake ’09

Avon Old Farms has become a very important part of my life, and its impact began before i ever set foot on campus back in the fall of 1976. Growing up in the suburbs of San Francisco i often heard stories and references to this strange and magical place called Avon Old Farms from my father (Jack ’49). Avon was indeed a strange and magical place, and my three years as a student established the foundation of my adult identity. And it also filled me with a burning passion to perhaps someday return to campus and be part of the community. many years passed before i returned and i was fortunate enough to have my son, Jake, attend the Farm for all four years.

That was a unique and highly enriching experience for him, living on the campus and closely interacting with the faculty. in n many ways, Avon Old Farms has changed in the half century between my father attending and my son graduating.

But i think more has remained the same. itt is fun and brings us closer together, sharing our various experiences. This was a great place to grow up and a wonderful place in which to grow old.

The ties between Avon and me are definitely strengthened because i am a legacy. Going to the same high school as my father and grandfather made me feel a certain level of pride every single day. i will definitely want my son to go to Avon. i feel that since Avon was such an enlightening place for me, it could easily have the same effect on my son. my my father and i will always have Avon together.

–Jake Bourgault ’09 Faculty member John Bourgault ’80, with son Jake ’09 at last year’s Commencement.

–John Bourgault ’80 (faculty)

the

Garvey family

John ’78, Jimmy ’79, Jerry ’82, Joe ’80

Avon clearly had a major influence on our entire family, our parents

included, in large part because of the opportunities the school opened for us educationally, socially, and professionally. At least in my own case, i came to realize that it was possible to “think big.”

Our shared experiences, lessons, teachers/mentors/coaches and friends at Avon, and then at harvard, are the basis of our relationships together up through the present.

–John Garvey ’78

The Garvey brothers on a recent ski trip: John ’78, Jimmy ’79, Joe ’80, and Jerry ’82.

The Garveys are also all graduates of Harvard University.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

the

Hampton family

Legacy

the

of Avon Old Farms School

Chris ’79, Chris ’09, patrick ’10, Gerard ’11

I feel extremely lucky to be a part of the history of Avon Old

Farms. i loved the traditions of the school. i loved the richness of the architecture, the small classes, the attention the teachers gave us. i was definitely more of a student than an athlete, but i rose to the occasion in both areas. The school gave me a love of literature and a passion for history and an appreciation of the arts.

W i am so excited about is the evolution i have seen at the What school. Avon was a good school when i attended and that was it. To have had my three sons go through it has given me a new lens to see that it has become a great school. i am so lucky that to some degree my regrets from my time there have been vindicated by the tremendous experiences and memories my boys have made in their time there. Avon Old Farms has evolved in the 30 years since i graduated into an incredible institution for the whole boy. Avon has gone through a renaissance that is now creating renaissance men. And i am incredibly proud to be a part of its history and a part of this new generation of renaissance men. i revel in my sons’ experiences.

The school does not perpetuate stereotypes. itt breaks them. it doesn’t allow one way alone to be the right way. itt has evolved to be a place that embraces ALL kinds of gifts. instead of seeming to be what they are not, my boys have been allowed to truly be who they are. Avon has brought out their gifts, strengthened their weaknesses, and allowed them to shine in their essence.

–Chris hampton ’79

Legacy will likely be more relevant to my son, Sean, who is going to be

a post-grad at Avon next year. For him, i think the issue is more about living up to our expectations of him being successful at the school. The reality is that we just want him to go there and rely on the school doing what it does. Kind of a reverse legacy thing—in knowing that what Avon did for all of us, i know what it will do for him.

–Jimmy Garvey ’79 My connection to Avon Old Farms is so much stronger, because it’s

like i have four graduating classes—we were unique, because we were so close and so tight in age. i shared their experiences, and they shared mine. i was able to see them enjoy the school, and that made it better for me, too. i’m looking forward to watching my nephew go there and continue the legacy.

–Jerry Garvey ’82

The Hampton men following Commencement, 2009: Patrick ’09, Gerard ’11, Chris ’09, and Chris ’79.

As the youngest legacy, i feel honored to uphold my family’s tradition of being an Avonian. it is not easy to follow all of my family’s achievements, but i do feel as if i am making my own way. Avon will always be an important part of my life, and will always hold a special place in my family’s history.

–Gerard hampton ’11 The traditions of Avon Old Farms define both the school and the lives of the people Avon touches. Traditions define the students dressed in graduation gown, stepping from the stage to the grass, holding their diplomas. Traditions define the faculty and staff through Boar’s head, vesper v s, and sit-down lunches. Being a legacy upheld a tradition that helped create the Avon experience for me. Arriving on the first day my freshman year, i was familiar with the campus, and had met some of the faculty. Before even meeting fellow students, i had the fortune of already feeling at home. While most students felt nervous, i knew that Avon had become a part of me.

–Chris hampton ’09

Being the third of the first four Garvey boys, legacy had a great impact on my time at Avon. By the time i got there, my brothers John and Jimmy had already established some pretty high expectations for me to live up to. Fortunately, a competitive nature developed by a very strong family made these expectations a welcome challenge and not at all a burden to bear. having Jerry following behind me also supplied motivation to set the bar a little higher in my own way.

The fact that all four of us went to Avon and then to harvard has definitely been one of the major bonds keeping my brothers and me connected over the years. Although we have all since gone our own paths, the things we have in common from our shared experiences have kept us close in spite of separation by time and distance. For me, and for my brothers i’m sure, being an Avonian is in many ways as much a part of my self-identity as being a Garvey.

As ffar as continuing the legacy, i have two boys, currently 5 and 8. i consider Avon something i owe them, and i hope to send them there when the time comes. –Joe Garvey ’80

the

Driscoll family tree Kevin driscoll ’72

Joe driscoll ’72

Blaise driscoll ’08

Stephen driscoll ’06

dean of Students

Hard to believe that over the last 37 years, 13 driscolls have walked the campus of A Avon Old Farms. Avon has strengthened our bonds as brothers, uncles, ffathers and sons. W We have come to realize that we all walked in the same shoes, played on the same fields and sometimes lived in the same rooms (30 years apart) and are a stronger family because of it. in many respects, Avon has changed little since my brothers and i lived there. As i watch my sons grow into men, it’s amazing to me how their friends are very much like the boys i went to school with. We often gather during the holidays and share stories about our days on the Farm. The memories span almost 40 years but the stories are remarkably similar. The faces have changed, yet today’s Avonions are the same talented, confident and well-mannered boys. i feel very comfortable when i go to sleep at night knowing that the same core values are alive and well at Avon, and i look forward to a day when there is a third generation of driscolls at Avon Old Farms.

–Tom driscoll ’79

mark driscoll ’73

Avon Old Farms has always been a huge part of my life. having aaving come from such a long line of driscolls who have gone through Avon, it has become a part of my family, just as how Avon is a family in its own. Growing up on campus and having so much of my family go here, Avon has become something that i am so passionate about, and always will be. myy bond with Avon has been strengthened because of my family and my bond with my family has grown through this school. Legacy is important at Avon because it adds to the feeling of family and tradition. i have pride in my family as i have pride in Avon. As one would always care for their family and their traditions, i will always care about Avon and what it stands for.

–Blaise driscoll ’08 Being the 13th Driscoll to attend Avon has made me feel very connected to my family. my parents always gave me the option of staying at home or attending Avon; the choice was not difficult to make. i wanted to experience everything that my brothers, uncles, and my father had the chance to experience.

–Stephen driscoll ’11

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

Legacy

the

of Avon Old Farms School

John driscoll ’75

James driscoll ’77

Tom driscoll ’79

michael driscoll ’81

Kevin driscoll ’06

michael driscoll ’08

John driscoll ’09

Stephen driscoll ’11

I feel incredibly proud of my family’s legacy at Avon. They’re

all good men, good fathers, they work really hard, and they live good, clean lives. This place has given us the opportunity to develop that—and so it’s important to carry on that legacy of giving back. i’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work with my family—my son, my brothers, my nephews—it’s unbelievable. i’m a lucky guy.

–Kevin driscoll ’72 (dean of Students)

Going to Avon, knowing how many driscolls had gone

through that campus, was at first mind-blowing and nervewracking, but as i became used to the campus and the Avon way of life, it all became a part of me and it became my second home. i feel as if to be a driscoll boy, you need to go through Avon – it’s almost a right of passage to becoming a driscoll man. it is definitely a tradition that my brothers, cousins, and i hope to continue with our boys. When Stephen ’11 graduates it will be a sad day because this generation of driscolls is over, but i guarantee we will be back!

The legacy my father and uncles left at Avon made my experience at Avon different than many of my classmates. evver ev er since i was a child, my father spoke of Avon in a way that made it seem almost magical. When i arrived at Avon as a sophomore, i realized that Avon was no longer a dream world; it was for real. i knew my dad and my uncle Kevin started the legacy by playing hard on the football field and by being young men with a strong sense of integrity and commitment. i looked to continue the legacy by playing hard and tough on the playing fields, and by bringing a sense of pride to my studies. i did my best to play tough, be polite, and respect my family. i wanted to make sure that i took advantage of my time at Avon, and i feel that i did. Avon has meant a lot to me and my family.

–Stephen driscoll ’06

–John driscoll ’09

The Avonian Spring 2010

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The Consuegra Family

Jorge ’51, Jorge ’77, Andy ’80, eduardo ’11, Luis ’14 Avon Old Farms is a Avon huge part of my life.

There is not a day that goes by that i do not think about Avon Old Jorge ’77, Farms. ev evvery ery step i take eduardo ’11 when i am on campus Jorge ’77 brings back positive memories. And the improved aspect for me now is that i am formulating new experiences as a parent of a current student. i see that he is supervised so well by my long time friends in the administration and faculty. As i watch him wrestle or see him interact with other students and faculty i am very thankful he is living the values that are so important to life at Avon. And there is no doubt that his experiences there will help him on a path towards becoming a good man.

–Jorge Consuegra ’77 One of the great aspects of Avon Old Farms is that while significant and impressive physical changes have been made to the school over Andy ’80 Jorge ’51 the years, the values of hard work, tradition, community, and friendship will remain the same. So, it is with great pride and excitement that my son will follow in the footsteps of me, my father, brother, and nephew when he enrolls at AOF in the fall. in n today’s world of constant change and new challenges, it is comforting to know that Luis will be exposed to the similar experiences and values that so greatly influenced us over so many years.

–Andy Consuegra ’80

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the

Panama connection The Tapia Brothers

rodrigo ’01, Fernando ’02, Alvaro ’04, Alejandro ’11

The school connected me to my family and made me see how small panamanian society really is and how there is so much more to life than just panama. it made me grow p and mature as a person by connecting with people from different cultures, and to have daily responsibilities and a very structured routine, which i end up applying to my daily routine in my job. it taught me the importance of hard work and how a healthy lifestyle helps you in the real world.

–Fernando Tapia ’02

The Barcenas Brothers rafael ’99, mario ’01, Guillermo ’03

i believe our experience at Avon brought us together even more. We are a close family, and my dad always reminded us to keep together. Avon brought that to another level. We had to support each other, and be there for each other. i believe it was a great experience that kept us together as brothers, friends, and now businessmen. We all feel very proud to be Avonians, and we all believe that this school prepared us much better for the years to come in life. We would not be the same individuals we are now, if we had not attended Avon; it simply made us better! –mario Barcenas ’01

Faculty

the legacy of the

The legacy of Avon Old Farms has much to do with its extraordinary faculty. As many as four decades of Avonian alumni share memories of the same faculty members.

These men and woman have made Avon their home, and the Old Farms community—and 40 years of students—part of their extended family.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

henry Coons ’71

Arthur Custer

Kevin driscoll ’72

peter evans

34 Years

28 Years

32 Years

39 Years

Legacy

the

of Avon Old Farms School

The Merritt Family Science Laboratory honoring all merritt and extended family members who have attended Avon Old Farms School since the school’s founding in 1927 *in november 1998, John C. merritt ’34 donated the very first gift towards the planning of the Ordway Science and Technology Center, completed in 2002 Merritt Family Alumni William J. W. merritt, Sr. ’31 John C. merritt ’34 Theodore C. merritt ’41 merritt K. mitchell ’56 martin F. mitchell ’58

morgan C. mitchell ’62 dwight C. harris, Sr. ’66 William J. W. merritt, Jr. ’66 John C. merritt, Jr. ’74 Travis merritt ’93 Logan p. Barbiche ’93

i remember giving a speech to the Board of speec directors when i was d a freshman at Avon. i chose to talk about my family’s legacy, which at the time was, i think, 13 people. i was very proud that i had a family member in the first-ever class at Avon, and that my grandfather and his brothers all became Warden. i enjoyed hearing all of the stories of the old days at Old Farms, and how my grandfather would have tea with mrs. riddle.

Tyler d. erb ’98 Coulson C. Barbiche ’99 dwight C. harris, Jr. ’04 michael J. Cesaro ’06 daniel C. harris ’08

i am very proud to be connected with the school on so many levels. my my family remained heavily involved for a long time. my m grandfather’s brick is part of the school in the Jamerson dorm and the hockey rink. he also “paved” the way for the names set in brick to be purchased and placed in a walkway for alumni. my m uncle gave generously to the capital campaign that helped get the science building constructed. i would definitely send my sons to Avon, if i have sons. it made a huge difference in my life, and i believe in the ideals of the school.

–Travis merritt ’93 Past Faculty

John Gardner

Gailanne Laferriere

Kathryn Leis

Ken Larocque

david mcelheny

Barbara rozinsky

George Trautman

35 Years

40 Years

21 Years

28 Years

31 Years

22 Years

41 Years

The Avonian Spring 2010

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The Custer Legacy

By Susan haile

F

Arthur and Michelle Custer

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

or the record, there haven’t always been Custers at Avon Old Farms. it just seems that way. Four generations of Custers have inhabited Avon’s slatefloor classrooms, some sitting behind the teacher’s desk and others in front. Although the two historians in the family might wince at the cliché, for the past 80 years history has indeed been repeating itself at Avon, in an absolutely marvelous way.

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by the history of this school,” says headmaster Ken Larocque. v y few current Avon faculty and students can claim a ver connection with the school’s Founder’s era (1927-1944).

The Custers certainly head the list. The family legacy began with John Sherman Custer, who joined the faculty in 1930, just three years after the school’s founding, and stayed until 1944, when the school was forced briefly to close. he served as history department chair, lived in diogenes, and raised two sons on campus, Tom ’36 and edwin ’43.

Only a handful of stories remain in circulation about the Custers of that era, which is perhaps fitting for a family that to this day seems to prefer keeping a low profile. As a student, young edwin was voted “most dignified,” although he defied that label when he was caught red-handed playing monopoly with a friend during study hall. perhaps in connection with

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by the history of this school.”

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by John Sherman Custer Tom Custer ’36 edwin Custer ’43 the history of this school,” Faculty, 1930-1944 –headmaster headmaster Ken La headmaster Larocque.

–headmaster Ken Larocque.

this shocking infraction, the dignified edwin penned a letter to the editor of the school newspaper that began, “it seems rather hypocritical on the part of certain of our leaders to give summonses for ‘ungentlemanly conduct…’ when their own conduct in the classrooms is scarcely that of a gentleman…”

Like his father, edwin became a teacher, although not at Avon Old Farms. Brother Tom was something of an aberration; he became a chemist in the plastics industry. (in fact he was able to maintain his Avon connection through his classmate reed estabrook ’36, Avon’s longtime board chair, whom he saw regularly at professional gatherings.) But edwin’s sons, John and Arthur, both opted to continue the Custer family’s teaching legacy. “dad stood over our cribs and said, ‘You will not be independent school teachers; you will be stockbrokers,” recalls Avon’s current dean of Faculty Art Custer with a laugh. “inevitably, of course, we both became private school teachers.”

Art’s grandfather died when Art was 10, but growing up the young Custer absorbed bits and pieces of the family’s connection to Avon. The Custers spent summers at the family’s home on isleboro, off the coast of maine, and many of their friends there were from central Connecticut—among them a handful of Avon faculty members, including former science teacher holland Sperry. The younger generation

Arthur Custer Faculty, 1982-present

Michelle Custer

Charles Custer ’04

Timothy Custer ’05 Admissions, 2009-present

Benjamin Custer ’10

Nathaniel Custer Faculty, 2006-2009

would be kept entertained by stories about Avon, and they also unearthed old family photos taken at Avon Old Farms.

Fast-forward to 1982, when Art was about to graduate from Bowdoin College. he considered his options, firmly rejected his father’s stockbroker ultimatum, and sent his résumé to Avon headmaster George Trautman. “my cover letter mentioned my grandfather and my father,” Art recalls. “i always thought that, in a stack several inches high of history résumés, mine stood out because of that, and that’s why i got the interview.”

The rest as they say is—well, you get the idea. George Trautman had the good sense to hire him, and Art Custer has proceeded to spend the next 28 years at Avon—28 and counting. Like his grandfather, he is history department chair.

Like his grandfather, he and his family lived in the Quadrangle for many years. unlike his grandfather, he has raised three sons on the Avon campus, not two. But all have attended Avon.

Throughout those 28 years, Art confesses to experiencing several poignant moments of connection with his past. When he meets alumni from his grandfather’s era, he often hears about the weekly updates that John Custer gave to the student body during World War ii. “That’s how they got the news in those days,” Art points out. his déjà vu moment came in 1991, when George Trautman asked Art to speak to the student body

The Avonian Spring 2010

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“I loved growing up on the AOF campus, and always felt sort of predestined to become a student here when the time came. It is only after becoming an Avon employee that I’ve begun to think more about the Custer legacy here… The school is a tremendous part of who I am, and I imagine that it’s the same for my dad as well.”

–Timothy Custer ’05

1. The Custer family in 2004, after Charlie’s graduation from AoF. Left to right: Tim ’05, Art, Charlie ’04, Michelle, and Ben ’10.

2. With Pete Seeger ’36, Reunion 2008.

3. Art, a Civil War buff, sets up for a reenactment.

4. Art in the classroom.

1

about what was happening in Kuwait during the first Gulf War. “That was the first time it really hit me,” Art says. “i thought, ‘here i am, doing the same thing that my grandfather did.’”

Another powerful moment of connection with the past A actually took place far from the Avon campus. The Custer family, including Art’s wife, michelle, and their three sons, was visiting alumnus Gilman Ordway ’44 in Jackson hole, Wyoming.

Ordway and edwin dwin Custer, Art’s father, had become friends d while at Avon, a friendship the two continued as classmates at Yale. “While we were there, Gil would come by and visit with all his guests,” Art recalls, “and i noticed that our boys, who were quite young at the time, would be paying close attention as he talked about their grandfather and those days at Avon.” interestingly, several years later the Custer-Ordway connection took on a new dimension, producing yet another “moment” for Art. “i looked up in the refectory efectory one day and ef saw my son, Charlie ’04, sitting with his friend and classmate Gilman Callsen ’04, grandson of Gilman Ordway,” he recalls.

“And i thought, ‘they’re reenacting what their grandfathers would have done.’” despite moments like these, Art himself tends to wear the Custer mantle lightly. “i don’t really reflect on my own legacy here,” he admits. “i remember in my first few years at Avon, students would ask if i planned to stay forever, and i told them

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

i didn’t know, but that it would be unusual—most people move on.” Yet nearly three decades later, Art remains rooted to the spot. his wife is also a longtime member of the faculty.

And what about that fourth generation of Custers? With a great-grandfather who taught at Avon, a grandfather who was an alum, and a father on the faculty, the three Custers sons— Charlie, Tim ’05, and Ben ’10—have certainly been unique among their classmates, and for that matter unique among Avon Old Farms students from every era. Their first cousin nathaniel Custer also added to the Custer legacy, teaching at Avon for a few years between college and law school. And Tim, since his graduation from St. Lawrence university, has returned to his roots, serving as an Avon admissions intern this year. “i loved growing up on the AOF campus, and always felt sort of predestined to become a student here when the time came,” says Tim. “it is only after becoming an Avon employee that i’ve begun to think more about the Custer legacy here…

The school is a tremendous part of who i am, and i imagine that it’s the same for my dad as well.”

Charlie, a Brown university graduate and—what else?—a teacher, puts it this way: “The legacy thing meant i was surrounded by other people who had alternative perspectives on my family, and by extension, me and my own history. my father once wrote a poem that was addressed to my

The Custer Legacy

3

2

grandfather after seeing me recite poetry in Avon’s annual poetry contest. he would never have showed it to me, but he showed it to one of the english teachers, who gave it to me later. A small violation of trust, perhaps, but it gave me some insight into not only him, but also my grandfather, who died before i was born. i guess that kind of thing wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have the legacy we do at Avon.”

The Custer population on campus will be shrinking this may, when the youngest Custer, Ben, graduates and heads off to middlebury College. he reflects on the Custer legacy this way: “my brothers both left their own impacts on the school, and i am frequently reminded of them. more concrete than these reminders, however, are ones of even older Custers. As i walk to morning meeting every day, i see a picture of my greatgrandfather while passing the school store, and another of my grandfather just outside the auditorium doors. These remind me that, while i may be the last Custer to be marked by Avon Old Farms, i am far from the first.” “itt will absolutely make me cry when Ben graduates,” laments Art, who confesses to having also shed tears when Ben’s brothers received their Avon diplomas. “in some ways my life will get easier without a son in the student body,” he admits, “but it has obviously been really cool to have them here.”

4

Appropriately, Art taught all three—just as his grandfather taught Art’s father and uncle back in the ’30s and ’40s.

Commenting on the Custer legacy at Avon, headmaster Ken Larocque says, “Art views life through the lenses of a historian, and because of the multi-generational connection between the Custer family and Avon Old Farms School, his impact here is amplified powerfully. in speaking with Art, one feels the integrity of his belief in our mission and passion for our school community.” “i guess i do walk around conscious of it,” Art acknowledges, “although i’m also conscious that this legacy stuff can be overdone. The thing that hits me is that this is where i should be, ancestrally.” perhaps not coincidentally, Art’s mother’s family also has deep roots in the Avon area, having been among its earliest settlers.

“But those aren’t the things that will keep me here,” Art contends. What will? “it’s the kids,” he asserts. “roughly 2,800 seniors have graduated during my tenure, and that’s the thing—that’s the tie that binds: my relationships with the kids.

One alum, enrique Aguila ’86, once said to me at a reunion, ‘At least we know, when we come back, you’ll be here.’ That stuff trumps the legacy stuff. if you stay someplace as long as i have, it should be about the boys.”

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Student Spotlight:

patrick hampton ’10 By morgan C. Cugell

P

at, the second of the four hampton children (sister Bridget is a student at nearby miss po p rter’s School), has established himself as one of the most respected leaders of the student body. pat at is hea heavily involved in many aspects of campus life: he is a member of the varsity football and vB lacrosse teams; a day student monitor; an officer for the nimrod Club; the chief editor of the Hippocrene; a staff writer for the Avon Record; and a member of both Avon Outreach and the Society of St. Brendan.

But he is perhaps most recognizable as a musician. A four-year member of the riddlers and

riddlers for the first time,” recalls pat. “my exposure to music at Avon has been an important part of my life, and at the first choral concert, i was blown away by the music that these boys were making. it became clear to me that i could follow my hope… of becoming that musician and singer.” in 2008, pat won the richard Woodwell ’75 Leadership Award, and in 2009, he received the dartmouth Book Award, following in the footsteps of his older brother Chris, who claimed the prize in 2009. A dean’s List student for four years, he has three community service pins and three academic honors pins, in addition to an Avon Old Farms Arts pin.

p patrick hampton ’10 and his brothers Christopher ’09 and Gerard ’11 may only be the second generation of hamptons to come through Avon Old Farms School (dad is Christopher hampton ’79), but the legacy they’ve already made for h themselves will stand for future generations to come. co-founder of the student-run elite a cappella group The Sing-ed Beavers, pat’s at’s vvocal talents have earned him admission into the All-State Choir in 2008, the national high School honor Choir in 2009, the men’s honor eastern region Choir in 2010, and the Connecticut northern regional Choir in 2007, 2008, and 2009. he won the Chamber ensemble Book Award in 2008, and entrance in the Tri-m honor Society of the music educators national ational Conf Conference last year. he also took on his first musical theater role this past winter, starring as the minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress. ““A defining moment for me at Avon was hearing the

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Spring 2010 The TheAvonian Avonian

pat has certainly distinguished himself as a man of Avon through his own dedication and hard work. however, it’s the hampton legacy before and after him that seems to have had the most influence on how he’s forged that path.

“The fact that my dad had walked the same walkways and sat in the same classrooms and went through a similar experience as me was very cool,” notes pat. “having aaving a brother at Avon also strengthened the bond, as i was able to see the school through his experiences as well as my own.” his connection to Avon—and the growing hampton legacy—was enhanced when his younger brother was accepted.

“When Gerard started as a freshman, i was excited to be the same type of leader to my younger brother as my older brother was to me,” explains pat. “i was excited to show him all the great things that this school had to offer, and help him find his way into the community.” pat is now enjoying the final semester of his four-year tenure at Avon, and, after watching Chris go through the experience only a year ago, he is trying to take advantage of every day he has left here. “i hadn’t thought in depth about the amazing opportunity that Avon has offered me,” he says. “Yet when i saw my brother relive his four years here, and say how much he missed it, i began to think about my remaining year at Avon. i promised i would take time to remember how lucky i am to be at such a great place, and think about how much i am going to miss it when i am gone.”

And though, come may A aay 30th, only Gerard will remain an Avonian, there may well be a third generation of hamptons at Avon sometime in the future, as legacy certainly seems to follow these men: pat heads to Johns hopkins university next fall, where his father is an alumnus and his older brother will be entering his sophomore year. “i guess the hampton family has a similar taste in schools,” remarks Chris, “but…my experience at Avon, as a legacy, definitely played a part in my decision.”

“The fact that my dad had walked the same walkways and sat in the same classrooms and went through a similar experience as me was very cool.”

The TheAvonian Avonian Spring 2010

25

Elephant The

Remembers…

From

tHe

ArcHives

Compiled by Carol Ketcham

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. Ð From “When Braille Was Basic at Old Farms,” Kathleen mcGrath, 1982

O

On ve veterans’ day day 2010, Avon Old Farms School celebrated the 65th anniversary of the opening of Old Farms Convalescent hospital hospital with a moving ceremony in the Susan Casey Brown Auditorium on campus. The entire school community attended the ceremony, as did a representative from the Avon historical Society, state and federal legislators, officials from Avon public Schools, former Convalescent hospital employees and volunteers, and a full contingent of veterans from the Avon vFW post, all in full dress uniform.

Following the presentation of colors by a World War ii color guard and the pledge of allegiance, the riddlers presented a rousing rendition of the national Anthem. david van Loan, blinded in battle, and president of the Connecticut v Blinded ve v terans Association, addressed the student body and told how Old Farms, with its beautiful and challenging campus, was a very special place for the recently blinded veterans. he stressed that the innovative and compassionate rehabilitation experienced by these young men is an example of how our nation should care for our wounded veterans.

A highlight of the morning was the introduction of each veteran present. As each veteran stood and saluted, and then briefly told the assembled students where he had been stationed and what he had experienced, pride and patriotism filled the auditorium.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

“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”

1

“With 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.”

2

Through the portals of Old Farms to a useful future…

“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 contr 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 he had assumed were to be denied him. ““As 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 ngland Company Thanks to Kathleen mcGrath, Avon News; Barbara Thomas, The Valley Press; Barbara Zuras, OFCh Ceremony Committee; and Cheryl nyberg, daughter of Frank Batey (see p. 28).

1. Avon’s Riddlers sing the National Anthem during the presentation of colors by local veterans of Foreign Wars on veterans Day, 2009.

2. vehicle identification plate, from the Avon old Farms Archives.

3. The Quadrangle Review was printed weekly by the trainees.

4. A complete motor pool was maintained—ambulances, buses, staff cars and trucks provided the transportation necessary to maintain contact with the outside world.

5. “Brailling” this model helped the new arrival to familiarize himself with the school grounds. every building, road, path and tree is indicated on the scale model.

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3 4

The Avonian Spring 2010

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Elephant The

Remembers…

From

tHe

ArcHives

Compiled by Carol Ketcham

You’re in the Army now!

W

When i turned 18, i had to register for the draft in St. Joseph, Louisiana, the parish seat. WWii WWii had ended in October 1945 and in February 1946 i got my notice to report for duty. i enlisted at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. i skipped basic training and was immediately sent to the luxurious Greenbriar hotel in White Sulfur Springs, West virginia, which the army had taken over and turned into a medical center. When Gis were killed, their duffle bags were sent to the Greenbriar—my job was to go through the duffle bags and sort the personal stuff from the army–issue things.

Soon i was sent to serve at Avon Old Farms Convalescent hospital in Avon, Connecticut. i was a company clerk to begin with, and then i went to work in the hobby Shop.

The blind Gis would pass the time by learning how to make leather goods, billfolds, purses, etc. i would teach them and help them learn. All of the enlisted guys enjoyed the same benefits that the blind Gis had. Old Farms was the only post where you got milk three times a day, and on Sunday mornings we had a piece of steak or pork and we could order

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

1

our eggs “cooked to order.” We also got to enjoy some of the entertainment. The uSO offered many shows and the red Cross had an entertainment center where we could go to dances. Some of the local young women would volunteer to come over and dance with the blinded veterans. hartford was only about 10 miles from Avon Old Farms, and it was a good place to meet women. That’s because hartford was the insurance company center for the united States, and there were so many secretaries working there that the ratio was 8 to 1 women to men. i met a nice woman at one of the dances and she had a car that was big and comfortable. We went to her house after the dance—no further details!

We got to take trips every so often and once we went to W Warner Brothers Studios in new w York. We stayed at the Y YmCA and on our first day the blinded veterans, each with an enlisted ‘guide,’ went to Warner Brothers Studios and had drinks and hors d’oeuvres. That night we all went to Leon and eddie’s night Club on 52nd Street in manhattan. itt was very popular

2

1. Drill on the village Green—Frank Batey first row, fourth from right 2. New Year’s eve at Wright’s Restaurant in Avon—Frank Batey on far left.

3. Bill Murphy and Frank Batey, still friends after 60 years, on the village Green again, with the Avon Mountain vista in the background.

4. In the Army at age 18—e. K. Batey 3 4

at that time, and we heard Ted Weems and his Orchestra (“me and myy Shadow”). The next morning, we had brunch at Toots Shor’s restaurant, the most popular restaurant in new York at the time. its oversized circular bar was a new York landmark.

That night we went to the Stork Club and saw the beautiful girls perform a floor show. The blinded Gi i was guiding for the trip, Joe, was hanging all over the railing, and i was describing what we were seeing in detail!

The next night we went to a Broadway show and saw Jean Arthur perform in Loco. After the show, the veterans and their guides got to go backstage and meet the cast. Our sergeant had a date with a gal who had a car, so i got a date with one of the girls in the show and sent Joe back to the convalescent hospital! After dinner the sergeant’s date drove us all the way back to Avon Old Farms.

Back in Connecticut, we sometimes went to the State Theater in hartford. A resident 25-piece orchestra played for both the live shows and the silent movies. double features were the bargain price of 10 cents for matinees and 20 cents in the evenings. due to the State’s large seating capacity and

location in the capital of Connecticut, all the big stars wanted to perform there. harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy dorsey, duke ellington, Frank Sinatra, ella Fitzgerald, the ink Spots, and peggy Lee were among the headliners. i had some great times during my Army days—a lot of experiences in just over a year for a ‘dirt road sport!’ i was discharged from the Army in may 1947, when i was still 19 years old. my rank was technician 4th grade (three stripes— buck sergeant). i was ready to go home. it took me 62 years, but i finally made it back to Connecticut in October 2009. my daughter and i flew to Connecticut where we met up with my old friend from my Convalescent hospital days, Bill murphy. Bill and i had not seen each other in over 60 years! We celebrated with a lobster dinner after we enjoyed a wonderful tour of the Avon Old Farms campus. We were amazed at the colorful fall leaves— they were just as beautiful as i remembered them.

–E.K. “Frank” Batey, of Long Beach, Mississippi, with help from his daughter, Cheryl Nyberg

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Alumni

The Costellos: Frank ’60 and John ’85 Father and son return to Avon Old Farms School this spring for their 50th and 25th Reunions

By Susan haile

For the Costello family, all roads led back to Avon Old Farms this spring.

Fathers and sons frequently share an Avon Old Farms legacy—that’s nothing new. in some families that legacy extends even farther back, to a grandfather who attended the school in its earliest years. But in what may be a first for Avon, this spring Frank Costello ’60 was celebrating his 50th reunion while his son, John ’85, was marking his 25th. Although neither had made it back to an Avon reunion in several years, both father and son returned in may aay to mark their major milestones.

Both admit with a chuckle that it hardly seems possible that so many years had passed since their student days. “But this is very special,” Frank said. “ve v ry special, indeed.” Frank confesses ve that he hadn’t initially “put two and two together” about the interesting confluence of father-and-son milestones—not until director of development e evelopment peter ev e ans pointed it out.

Separated by 25 years, their senior pages in Avon’s Winged Beaver hint at the exploits of the Costellos, father and son. Their yearbook photos show young men with the same intense eyes and same dark hair, although John sports a smile while Frank remains serious. Frank is described as “displaying great perseverance and an undaunted spirit,” which could just as easily have been written about John. They were involved in different activities and played different sports at Avon, but ultimately they learned similar lessons. “i bet a lot of students realize only after leaving Avon what a positive impact the school has had on them,” Frank reflected. “i learned to step back and look at each situation, and not to shoot from the hip. The lessons i learned were valuable in college, and in my work life. now that i have

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

the time and the maturity to reflect on my years at Avon, i can clearly and fully appreciate my education.”

John says he wanted to go to Avon Old Farms ever since he was a little kid. Why? The answer is simple, yet profound.

“Because my dad went to Avon, and i wanted to be like my dad,” he admits. The Costello family had moved to the town of Avon in 1978, and by that time, Frank says, he understood the benefits of an Avon Old Farms education. “itt worked so well for me,” he added, “and i thought that John would only benefit.”

So while most of his friends from Avon middle School were heading to Avon high, John chose Old Farms. he had accompanied his dad on several visits to Avon Old Farms over the years, he says, “And there was something unique about the campus. itt was a no brainer. itt was a natural fit.”

Sports were important to John, then and now. he worked hard, eventually making the varsity football and baseball teams. But not hockey. “i was a terrible hockey player,” John admits wryly, “never good enough to play varsity.” ironically, hockey is the sport he continues to play, in a men’s league, and hockey is also the sport his two young sons play. in fact,

Now that I have the time and the maturity to reflect on my years at Avon, I can clearly and fully appreciate my education.”

–Frank Costello ’60

in recent years the boys have enjoyed following the exploits of the AOF varsity hockey team. “it’s a very cool fact,” said John about the Costello reunion celebrations this may. Another cool fact is that father and son share more than their Avon Old Farms diplomas. eerily, but perhaps not surprisingly, Frank and John’s yearbook “prophecies” have—mostly—come true. Frank did indeed “become a construction worker,” although the prophecy didn’t specify road construction. And John did indeed “take over his father’s company,” Costello industries.

Based in newington, Connecticut, Costello industries was founded by Frank’s father, Jack, in 1945. in the beginning the firm built roads, but over the years the company has expanded to include the construction, repair and maintenance of transportation systems throughout the eastern united States.

Last year Frank retired and sold the business to John. “my dad is still my biggest advisor, though,” says John. “most big decisions i make with him.” in fact, neither Costello ever really had another job. Both got their feet wet in the family business at an early age, from visiting job sites with their dad to working for the business during summer vacations. After graduating from college, perhaps it was preordained that both Costellos should join the family business, although both found themselves essentially starting out at the bottom and working their way up. “my my dad figured out where the bottom rung of the ladder was my and put me there,” Frank laughs. A generation later, when John graduated from Avon and then from Babson College, he once again decided, “i want to do what my dad does.”

Following in his father’s footsteps has been very rewarding for John, in both “family businesses”—Avon Old Farms and Costello industries. And when John joined the business,

Frank knew Avon had prepared him well. ““i knew that the fundamentals of his education had taught him life’s lessons,” Frank reflected. ““i knew how he learned those lessons, i knew he could practice them, i knew he understood he had to earn it. At Avon he understood that he would sit on the bench in a football game if he missed practice. And to this day he can’t stand it when someone is late for a meeting.”

Like his father, John Costello is a family man. “my three kids are my life,” he reflects. So it’s not at all surprising that his family is in many ways responsible for helping him rediscover his Avon roots. “Typically i haven’t gone to alumni weekends, but now the kids are older, and they’ve discovered Avon hockey. That in part has reignited my interest in reconnecting with Avon, and that’s been fun.” Turns out John plays hockey in the same men’s league as Jed usich ’89, and at a youth hockey game recently he bumped into mike Giannamore ’85, whose son was on the opposing team. “So i’ve been reacquainted with a couple of Avon buddies,” John says, “and now my kids are old enough to appreciate all that.”

Will the Costello family’s Avon legacy continue to the next generation? neither Costello is ruling it out. John puts it this way: “if four years from now my oldest son would prefer to go to Avon Old Farms, and i can afford it, he’ll go.”

But ffor now, two generations of Costello men are excited to be celebrating their big Avon reunions this year. “i’m very proud of our Avon Old Farms legacy,” says Frank. “it has been very rewarding. i hope Avon maintains those core values and never lets them go.”

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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 as follows: Fall issue notes are due by June 1, 2010 Spring issue notes are due by march 1, 2011

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42

DonalD r. h art Jr., Class Agent

russell hunter, Head Class Agent p.O. Box 22, Farmington, CT 06034-0022

17 Cobble rd., unit F-2, Salisbury, CT 06068-033 veradonhart@gmail.com

40 FaY et te plum sent a wonderful letter in december. “i am still active (pushing 90) in the antique business, due primarily to George Lenaria, who taught cabinet making at AOF. i was very active in this along with others. reeD estabrook ’36 was a senior when i was a ‘new boy’ and he was kind to me. i will never forget him. he was a great cabinet maker and also a model maker. greg linDin and i were great ‘Woods Crew’ workers with verne ‘W v priest, who had the job of forest manager at the time.”

memories were also triggered of life at Avon for greg linDin when he saw the power house

Don Monaco ’55, right, enjoyed the Avon gathering at the Pacific-Union Club in San Francisco last January with Jenifer Shields and Tim orr ’85.

Brad Lewis ’60 was part of Country Walkers, a hiking group in Waterbury, ver v mont, for a tour of the Snowdonia region of Wales last September.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

photo inside the fall 2009 issue of The Avonian, with mr. Wall explaining how the three-cylinder diesel generator powered the school. Greg wrote, “For me that early exposure to engineering led me to follow engineering throughout my working career.” Greg fondly remembered the masters who taught him. “Apart from the academic side, many of us developed long-lasting fellowship during our stay at Avon. They became our mentors whom we highly respected. Additionally there were non-academic instructors also whose lives impacted ours. verne v priest, for example, taught us the correct way to cut overgrown brush in the school woods. i remember FaY et te plumb and i were given the responsibility of preparing meals at the island and cabin (the island now is part of ‘Winding Trails’). i had great respect for Theodate pope riddle and remember being invited with evan van Jen nings ’39 to join her at v the hill-Stead for dinner. After we graduated, she told us her true story, over a round of scotch and soda, of being torpedoed off the coast of ireland aboard the Lusitania and surviving the irish Sea.”

Last April, russ hunter gave a personal tour of Avon to friends visiting from Australia. They loved the school’s architectural beauty and ru r ss mentioned how impressed he was with the similarity between mrs. riddle’s original garages, which he remembers as a student over 70 years ago, and the reconstruction of the Brown house. ru r ss hopes to stop by campus as soon as his torn Achilles tendon heals.

49 Dick sears, son of faculty member dean richard

Sears, sent the following remembrances of Avon in winter: “Avon with a snowy Christmas was magical.

Almond cookies, hot chocolate, and carols in the refectory, a big tree and Choppy Fowler as Santa handing out navel oranges. i will never forget the spirit of that special time in the chilly, fading, twilight hours.” [editor’s note: dick passed away recently.]

50 h arv eY rubin, Head Class Agent 102 Barbour Cir., newport news, vA 23606 harvo@cox.net

51 Warren ForD, Head Class Agent 115 Center St., Wolcott, CT 06716 jodir@aol.com

52 seth F. menDell , Head Class Agent

28 north St., mattapoisett, mA 02739 hekate28@verizon.net seth menDell shared his research on the

exploration, discovery, and piracy of the elizabeth islands as part of the mattapoisett historical Society’s lecture series last winter in his home town of mattapoisett. Before a packed house at the library, mendell held the attention of listeners for more than an hour. Giving the program a special dimension was the fact that mendell relied on hard copies of charts

and maps and an old-fashioned wooden school pointer to tell his tale—and transport his audience back to the early history of the Elizabeth Islands.

53

the motorcycle group rode the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island and we joined them for that journey. It has been great fun.”

Rust Kessel , Head Class Agent

In March, Jock Davenport and his wife, Batya, visited with Dick Loveland (Jock’s history teacher at Avon) and his wife, Margo, in Oregon. Last summer, he went on a concert tour with the Yale Alumni chorus to Guatemala and Mexico. While Jock is retired from teaching, his daughter, Sarah, teaches American history at the University of Chicago.

3785 Thistlewood, Okemos, MI 48864 rustkessel@aol.com

60

Jay Toole, Head Class Agent

874 Ridgeside Dr., Monrovia, CA 91016 Merrilllee@earthlink.net

54

55 Andy Treadway, Head Class Agent

12100 Provincetowne Dr., Charlotte, NC 28277-8438 yrt18519@winstream.net

56 Sidney Greer, Head Class Agent

354 Tamarind Pl., Vero Beach, FL 32962-7349 shjgreer@aol.com

57 James C. Flippin, Head Class Agent 1311 Old Bernville Rd., Leesport, PA 19533-9605 Jflippin@readingeagle.com

Christmas greetings from Peggy and Dick Thorndike included the following highlights from 2009: a two-week canal barge trip throughout Belgium and the Netherlands right in the height of tulip season; time on Nantucket in June; two trips to Tanglewood; and visits with family and friends.

Their grandchildren range in age from 8 to 14.

58 Austin Ch ambers, Head Class Agent

Rich ard L. W illi ams, Head Class Agent P.O. Box 218, South Orleans, MA 02662-0218 Rclumberclan@aol.com

61 George F. Henschel Jr., Head Class Agent 101 Seminary Rd., Bedford, NY 10506 gfhjr@aol.com

62 Alan D. Rozinsk y, Class Agent

Avon Old Farms School, 500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 rozinskyb@avonoldfarms.com

63 Rich ard R. Bennet t, Class Agent 11776 Stratford House Place, Apt. 1208, Reston, VA 20190-3385 Bennett@American.edu Thom as K. Curtis, Class Agent

4306 Pomona Road, Dallas, TX 75209-2822 knickc@fastmail.fm

W. B. H arwood III, Class Agent

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

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65 Perry Benson, Co-Head Class Agent

6905 West 99th St., Overland Park, KS 66212 cwdavis@waretec.com

2135 Naudain St., Philadelphia, PA 19146 pb2@jacobswyper.com

Douglas B. M arsh all , Class Agent

Barton G. Barret t, Co-Head Class Agent

2 Berkshire Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 marshalldb@raveisre.com

1 Maple Ave., Richmond, VA 23226-2339 BGBRealtor@aol.com

Rolf Olson emailed last fall, “Sioux retired from

66

the Goodspeed and we have been motorcycling with the New England Road Riders. In September, we completed trips to Killington, Vermont, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. In late July,

Robin Taliaferro ’63 (#492) placed 2nd in a USA National Championships race in California for men 60-64.

64

317 Flanders Rd., Stonington, CT 06378-2109 Hilltop12@aol.com

Ch arles W. Dav is, Class Agent

Cookie Boyd ’67 went to the Homestead Miami racetrack to watch NASCAR with some close friends. Cookie and Nancy are still residing in Naples, Florida where Cookie is a realtor specializing in golf course real estate and is also working for a large golf equipment company in town.

Mich ael D. Barker, Head Class Agent 139 Kirkwood Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117-2835 barkermike@aol.com

Lynn Armstrong and Knick Curtis ’63 enjoyed dinner in Dallas at the home of Rebecca and Mark Masinter ’82, who hosted an Avon reception last January.

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67

71

James W. Corrigan, Co-Head Class Agent

Henry R. Coons, Head Class Agent

826 Gould Hill Rd., Contoocook, NH 03229 jwctcc.jwc@myfairpoint.net

Avon Old Farms School, 500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 coonsh@avonoldfarms.com

W illi am F. Roberts, Co-Head Class Agent

786 Brownsville Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608 wfroberts@fast.net Josh Lipm an joined Deutsche Bank in October 2009 as a director, Private Client Group.

68

Chase Donaldson ’68 and artist Jay Goldstein ’68 at the opening of “Moments in Time,” featuring artwork of Jay Goldstein ’68.

Brian Mullins ’68, co-host of the San Francisco reception at the Pacific-Union Club in January, enjoyed a drink with Henry Jeanes ’87.

George L . Purnell , Head Class Agent 4822 Brighton Lakes Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33436 glpluvssports@gmail.com Ch ase Donaldson and his wife, Judy, recently attended an opening in Louisville, Kentucky, of Jay Goldstein’s artwork, “Moments in Time.”

Jay creates his paintings of people from old Kodak photographs in their natural surroundings doing the thing that made them comfortable and happy at that moment in time. Chase and Judy also had a nice visit with Geoff Doughty and his wife, Pam, in Maine in December.

69 W inston P. McKellar, Head Class Agent 311 East Rose Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85012-1243 w.mckellar@att.net

70 H arris H. Bucklin III, Head Class Agent 3004 Margaret Jones Ln., Williamsburg, VA 23185 hbucklin3@aol.com Stuart H arper emailed, “It has been a while

Family of Stuart Harper ’70, from left to right, row 1: Stuart Jr. (11) and Macuen (7); row 2: Stuart’s wife, Laura, and daughters, Anna and Lindsay; row 3: Stuart ’70 and son Ben ’95.

Henry Coons ’71 and Preston Cherouny ’84 enjoyed the Avon gathering at the Chevy Chase Club last December.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

since I have written in, but I have five children ranging in age from 33 to 6. My son Ben is also an Avonian, from the Class of 1995. We are all doing well. I live in Elma, New York, outside of Buffalo, and am president/executive director of the Buffalo Mission Society, Inc. We run the region’s largest men’s, women’s, and family homeless and recovery facilities in Western New York. I ran international sales departments for two Fortune 500 companies and traveled all over the world for 35 years, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing a man or woman beat their addiction and become a participating and contributing member of society.

It’s great to see Avon doing so well and I send my best to all my old classmates (and they are all old now). Looking at some of the fresh faces of today’s Avonians, it is hard to believe we ever looked like that.

God bless you all! I am proud to be an Avonian.”

H ank Coons sends greetings from campus during his 34th year at Avon and is looking forward to the Class of 1971’s 40th Reunion in May of 2011.

He encourages everyone in the class to mark their calendars now for the big event. Daughter Christina is finishing her fourth year at the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, where she teaches in the middle school and coaches field hockey and lacrosse. Brittany Coons is loving life in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco and works for Amica Mutual Insurance as an adjuster and recruiter.

She was recently engaged. Casey ’07 is finishing up his junior year at St. Lawrence University, where he is majoring in math and economics with a minor in environmental science. He plays attack on the Saints lacrosse team, which has won four consecutive Liberty League titles and has advanced to the NCAA tournament each of the past three seasons.

72 Dan Carpenter; Class Agent 18 Pondside Ln., West Simsbury, CT 06092 dcarpenter@usbenefitsnetwork.com Bill Blumberg and Bart Rinker spent

three great days at Catalina Island on Sea Casa, the Rinkers’ 53-foot Selene trawler.

73 John Bourget, Class Agent 7 Andrea Ln., Avon, CT 06001 witan@aol.com

74 George J. Gi annoni, Co-Head Class Agent

36 Twilight Dr., Granby, CT 06035-1212 GGiannoni@cox.net Edward P. Molloy, Co-Head Class Agent

6 Winhart Dr., Granby, CT 06035 E.molloy@cox.net Jeb Bell , along with his son, Jamie (13), and Ned Thompson enjoyed dinner with Pete and

Sue Evans at Avon Old Farms Hotel’s Seasons restaurant in January after Jamie’s admission interview at Avon. Jeb and his wife, Eda, have two other children: daughter Ellie (16) and son Charlie (8). Ned and Jeb reminisced that they had followed similar paths from Rectory, to Avon, to Wooster.

Ned’s daughter, Blair, has finished college, son

Ch arlie ’03, who graduated from University

of Denver, wants to become a paramedic, and son Preston ’08 is enjoying Union College.

During the summer, the Bells, from Delaware, enjoy their second home in Nova Scotia while the Thompsons, who live in New Hampshire, go to their place in Maine.

75 Tom By rne, HeadClass-Agent 31 Helena Rd., Avon, CT 06001-3433 tbyrne@thomasbyrne.com Tom By rne ran a very chilly Chicago Marathon in October and raised over $7500 for Autism Awareness. Tom has a relative named Bryan who has autism so four out of Tom’s 10 siblings ran in and completed the marathon. Tom wrote the following to his supporters after the race:

“Alla (our youngest sibling) led our pack at 4:24. Alla was followed by myself, Tracy (Bryan’s Mom) and Mike in 4:28, 4:31, and 4:41. Race morning dawned at a very chilly 34 degrees along the lake front and never really got much warmer than 40 degrees. The Marathon is a huge event in Chicago and, despite the cold, every foot of the 26.2 mile course was lined with screaming, bell-ringing, music-playing, dancing, and fun-loving supporters. At many points they were 10 and 15 deep. Each of us had our own hard time at some point along the way, but for the supporters we might have stopped running.

I can honestly say that I used the backing of all of you to get me through the hardest miles. Thank you for that. I was lucky enough to make eye contact with my own screaming and jumping wife and daughter about three miles from the finish and it replenished my empty tank and made a big difference in how I finished as I was floundering at the point I glimpsed them. Thanks most of all for your support of our cause to assist in Autism Awareness. We can all make a big difference.”

“PK” and Gordon Linke ’75 enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Avon reception in San Francisco with Headmaster Ken LaRocque.

Children of Marie and Henry Coons ’71: Casey ’07, Brittany, and Christina Coons—Worthington, Massachusetts—December 2009.

Blaise ’08 and Margie Driscoll, children of Maria and Kevin Driscoll ’72, dean of students.

Bruce Anschutz ’74 and his wife, Linda, stopped by campus and enjoyed a tour from Peter Evans. Bruce and Linda had not been back to Avon since his 25th Reunion a decade ago. [from left: Sue Evans, Linda and Bruce Anschutz, and Peter Evans]

Tom will be hosting the Class of ’75 at his home the Friday night of Reunion weekend.

76 Alex ander N. Worley, Head Class Agent

20 Shore Grove Rd., Clinton, CT 06413 alexworley@sbcglobal.net Bruce Lev inson emailed, “I have seen Jamie

In September 2009, Fred Haack ’75 and Chris Welles P’11 won the A. J. Drexel Paul Cup at The Gulph Mills Golf Club. The competition, Four Ball, Better Ball of Partners Match Play, required winning six 18 hole matches over three days. The tournament is considered to be one of the premier amateur golf events in the Philadelphia area.

H askell here in California and have touched base with a few alums on Facebook. Thirty-three years ago is a long time since graduation­—I hope to make our 35th Reunion next year.”

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77 Jorge E. Consuegr a , Head Class Agent

5 Andrews Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830 jorgeeconsuegra@yahoo.com

78 Kenneth G. Cloud, Head Class Agent

8317 Kingsthorpe Terr., Richmond, VA 23229-7465 kencloud@cloudconsulting.com The Garv ey brothers, John in California, Jim ’79 and Joe ’80 in Florida, Jerry ’82 in

Children of Dyan and George Getz ’80: Alison (13), Kit (7), and Chip (11)

Daughters of Jerry Garvey ’82: Anna, Lily, and Caroline with Cleo

Massachusetts and their respective families decided to meet for a New Year’s getaway in Utah this past January 2010. John’s Christmas card dubbed the vacation “a mini Avon reunion.”

R andy Pike moved back to Houston with

Shell after an assignment in Brazil.

79 Anthon y M. Gr ay, Co-Head Class Agent

6212 Wagner Ln., Bethesda, MD 20816 tgray@tonygray.net Scot t B. Linke, Co-Head Class Agent 116 Eleven Levels Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877-3011 scott_linke@ml.com

80 Kenneth H. Blanchard, Co-Head Class Agent

Mark Masinter ’82 hosted a dinner at his Dallas home, attended by Tom Davey ’80 and Headmaster Ken LaRocque.

846 Mountain Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117 kenkhb99@aol.com Thom as E. Dav ey, Co-Head Class Agent 4816 Sandestin Dr., Dallas, TX 75287 Thomas.Davey@lighting.ge.com

81 Samuel C. Bookbinder, Head Class Agent Wells Fargo Advisors LLC 30 South 17th St., Suite 2000 Philadelphia, PA 19103-2707 samuel.bookbinder@wfadvisors.com Brien Biondi has been named president and

Matt Weir ’84 married Courtney Kirby November 7, 2009, on Mustique Island. Avonians in attendance were classmates Joe Giannamore and Preston Cherouny.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

Timothy Orr ’85 and his son, Benjamin, visited with Pete Seeger ’36 at the Monterey Jazz Festival 2009.

COO of British Columbia-based League Assets Corp., which manages the IGW Real Estate Investment Trust, a fast-growing private REIT. Formerly, Brien served as executive director, Chief Executives Organization (CEO), and he is a former CEO of Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization (YEO).

In his new position, he will be based in Alexandria, Virginia, where he will oversee League Assets’ expansion into the United States. He’ll spend one week a month in the Victoria, B.C. office. Brien

says, “We have staff located in Victoria, Vancouver (good-size office there), Toronto, Dallas, and Phoenix—and, of course, Alexandria, Virginia. We will be building out of the D.C. area as the primary U.S. office location.” Before signing on with League Assets Corp., Brien and his wife, Amy, traveled extensively with children Sam (7) and Lilli (4).

82 Gregory T. Fish, Co-Head Class Agent 56 Blue Ridge Dr., Simbury, CT 06089 greg@gregorytfishllc.com Wade Mc Dev it t and his wife, Wendy Brown,

announce the birth of Coulter McDevitt. “Colt” arrived two months early, weighing 3 lbs. and measuring 17 inches.

83 Rich ard C. Gregory, Head Class Agent 30 Walnut Farms Dr., Farmington, CT 06032 rick@rcgregory.com

84 John Gordon, Class Agent

246 Nacoochee Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30305 John_Gordon@timeinc.com

85 Sam L . Rubenstein, Head Class Agent

2640 Endsleigh Drive, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 richmondsr@aol.com Drew Gr ah am and his wife, Margarita, announce the arrival of their second child, Devin Andrew Graham, born on January, 12, 2010.

Devin weighed 4 lbs. 14 oz. and big sister, Amara (2), welcomed him home.

86 John G. Ashe, Class Agent; 50 Edgewood Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106-1308 jashe@olyfast.com Adam W helchel was at Fisher Meadows watching his daughter play soccer when he ran into Headmaster LaRocque, who was walking his dogs on the same fields. Currently director of conservation programs for the Nature Conservancy, Adam attended University of Vermont and pursued a career in conservation. He is doing a lot of fulfilling work in Africa and locally. Adam has three children and lives in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He speaks often to college students at Yale, Wesleyan, and Trinity College about conservation.

The extended Drew family: Children of Chris Drew ’85 and his brother David ’87 and their sister, Katie: Alli (4), Elisabeth (2), Brian (9), Teddy (4), Carson (11), and William (4)

Cluster Reunions for Avon Classes During the spring 2009 National Council meeting, council member Knick Curtis ’63 made a presentation to consider a cluster reunion format for Avon’s future class reunions.

Knick, like all Avon alumni, had school friends in classes other than his own. He wanted to find a way to reunite with Avon students who graduated before and after him during future reunion weekends. After researching the growing number of colleges and schools that have “cluster” reunions in place, he presented a rotation schedule to the Council that would achieve this objective.

Because the cluster reunion format is based on a pre-determined rotation schedule, the school would then publish the rotation for future reunions on the school’s website.

In some anniversary years, 10th, 25th, 40th, and 50th, each class would still have its own reunion. In other years, 5th, 15th, 20th, 30th, 35th, and 45th, each class would come together with two other consecutive classes to enjoy a larger cluster reunion.

To make this possible, some classes would be having these particular reunions a year off schedule. And, in order to give every class the widest possible contact with other classes, the schedule staggers cluster reunions. That is, in some cluster reunions a class will join with the class immediately before and the class immediately after. In other years, a class will join with the two years before or the two years after. See example below.

If you have an opinion on the concept of cluster reunions, please contact Knick Curtis ’63 at knickc@fastmail.fm or 214-358-2882 or Hank Coons ’71 at coonsh@avonoldfarms.com or Example for the Class of 2000 860-404-4226. The National Year Event Class(es) Council would like to make a May 2016 15th Reunion with 2001 & 2002 recommendation to the school May 2021 20th Reunion with 2001 & 2002 in the spring of 2010, and May 2025 25th Reunion 2000 alumni feedback will be key in May 2029 30th Reunion with 1998 & 1999 their decision-making process.

May 2034 35th Reunion with 1998 & 1999 If adopted, the first cluster May 2040 40th Reunion 2000 reunions would commence in May 2045 45th Reunion with 1999 & 2001 the spring of 2011.

May 2050 50th Reunion 2000

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Bri an Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. After 18 years in the NHL, Leetch is regarded as one of the great U.S. players in history. Check out his induction speech on YouTube.

James K ahl emailed, “Hello from Cincinnati.

Children of Shannon and David Hession ’87: Kiley (10) and Michael (7)

Mike Schwartz ’88 with his wife, Lisa, and children, Carolyn (8) and Alex (5) stopped by Niagara Falls last summer.

I am very busy again chairing the 5th annual ‘One More Victory Ara’ Celebrity Golf Invitational in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 2 to benefit the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.

Our 6-year-old son, Casey, was diagnosed with Niemann Pick C at the age of 2. He continues to do well although childhood or teenage death is the expectancy for these children. In our four years, the event has raised over $500,000 for the APMRF to fund medical research grants to find a cure or treatment for Casey and other children with NPC. For further info please visit our website at www.parseghian.org.”

87 Chris Stone ’88 and David Fox

Brendan McKernan ’89 became engaged to Valerie Reynolds in January 2010.

Last September, Barbara and George Trautman ’98H enjoyed a terrific Sugarland concert at New England’s great state fair, “The Big E,” and caught up with the band’s singer-songwriter, Kristian Bush ’88.

W illi am C. Begien, Class Agent 8 Maple St., Watertown, MA 02472 wbegien@yahoo.com Adam Ly nch and his wife, Vayia, along with

their two sons, Nathan (2½) and Evan (8 months), took a trip through eight states as part of Adam’s new business venture, Premier Processing, a new aerospace facility in Wichita, Kansas. The worldwind tour started and ended in Marina del Rey, California where the Lynch family still resides. The Lynch family is getting ready for a big European vacation this summer, which will include Italy for four days on the way into Europe, and Germany for five days on the way out, but the main focus of the trip will be Greece, where, during their two-week stay, Adam and Vayia will baptize their youngest son, Evan, on his first birthday.”

Jim Angelus lives in San Francisco. He and

his wife, Birgess, welcomed daughter Sloan Zazie on March 22. Brother Ted ’82 welcomed son Oliver Kiss on March 18. Jim wrote, “I’m the GM of a restaurant in SF so if any Avonians are in San Francisco stop on in.”

88 Sh aw n E. Atkinson, Co-Head Class Agent satkinson@amphoradvisors.com

Evan (11), Graham (9), and Marah (6) Deckers, the children of Tina and Associate Director of Technology Peter Deckers ‘90, with their dog, Brady

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

Rob Hornish ’91 and his wife, Jennifer, announce the birth of their daughter, Mckenna Anne Hornish, on April 24, 2009.

Mckenna weighed 8.4 lbs and was 21 inches. Rob emailed, “She had a full head of hair at birth. Words cannot explain how special this experience has been for my wife and me.”

Peter Reed, Co-Head Class Agent

91 Butternut Ln., Southport, CT 06890 preed@ctnet.com

Mike Schwartz received his Ph.D. in English literature from Brandeis in 2007 and is now teaching supernatural fiction and gender/sexuality studies at The College of New Jersey. He still sings a cappella and recently moved to Princeton, New Jersey with his wife, Lisa, and children Carolyn (8) and Alex (5). In November, he returned to campus with other alumni (including Chris Stone and Bruce Miller) to meet with and help support AOF’s new Gay-Straight Alliance, and will be assisting in future AOF GSA efforts.

After completing pre-mission training in Colorado, Jamie H ay es deploys to Afghanistan in August 2010. Once again, Jamie will command a combat advisor team that will train, advise, and assist an Afghan army unit. Jamie wrote, “It won’t be like commanding a unit of Green Berets, but it’s the next best thing and I feel honored to have been selected for such an assignment.” In December, Jamie was able to enjoy the annual Avon reception at The Chevy Chase Club.

Chris Stone is living in New York’s West Village

with his partner of eight years, David Fox. Soon after meeting in 2001 they founded their architecture firm Stonefox Architects and have completed residential and commercial projects in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and their home state—New York. Chris returned to campus with four fellow alumni in November and met with the student members of the Gay-Straight Alliance and Diversity Club to hear about their efforts to promote a culture of respect for all. After being on campus, Chris remarked, “The new music and athletic facilities have made the campus truly amazing, but it is the students’ leadership in valuing difference that makes each feel they belong to such a remarkable place.”

Cr ay ke W indsor emailed from Salisbury, U.K., “England is great. Our move here is turning into one of the best things we could have done as a family. The kids are settling in very nicely. Amy has integrated into the community and I commute about 45 minutes by train into Southampton every day. Since I have been here, not a day goes

by I am not reminded of Avon. The architecture, low ceilings, wood beams....good stuff. The course work is good. A bit slow at first, but it has ramped up steadily and I find myself having to put in more effort than I initially thought would be required—which is a good thing. Hindsight being what it is, I should have done this program shortly after leaving Boston University. For that matter, if Avon has any students who are keen on naval architecture and such, have them look at this program (Southampton Solent University) or I am happy to answer any their questions.” Crayke and Amy and their three sons, Theodore (10), Cooper (7), and Stuart (3), are in England while Crayke is pursuing a B.Eng. Todd Carroll and his wife, Amy, live in Woodbridge, Connecticut. He is currently developing film and TV projects to be filmed in the Connecticut area and can be heard every Saturday on the Inside Hockey radio show on NHL HOME ICE XM 204 and SIRIUS 208. Aside from the entertainment business, he continues to be involved in C Solar LLC, a renewable resources company in which he has an interest.

Rob Hornish saw Coley Ly nch in Avon

over the Christmas break and wrote, “If you guys are ever around, please reach out. I am in the process of moving to New Jersey from Austin, Texas.”

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92

Bri an Riva, Class Agent

Damien J. Egan, Head Class Agent

14 Chatfield Dr., Lakeville, CT 06039 brianriva@sbcglobal.net

54 White Oaks Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106-1739 degan2@hotmail.com

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93

Adam J. Cr ane, Class Agent

Tr av is Merrit t, Class Agent 350 East 62nd St., Apt. 4N, New York, NY 10065 merritttravis@yahoo.com

932 Trail Ct., Eagan, MN 55122 adamjcrane@gmail.com

91 Mich ael M. Mullin, Head Class Agent

8 Nickerson Ln., Darien, CT 06840 michael.mullin@db.com

Travis Merritt ’93 and Sara Tyluki were married on August 8th, 2009, in Red Bank, New Jersey. They enjoyed a honeymoon safari in Kenya and Tanzania. They both currently teach and reside in New York City.

Nelson West Cashion, son of Kathryn and Lance Cashion ’93.

M ark French and his wife, Meghan,

announce the arrival of their son, Brayden, on January 25, 2010. He was welcomed home by big sister, Campbell (2).

Kurt Sjogren ’93 with wife Dory and daughters Ella and Ava.

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Kurt Sjogren emailed, “Ella (5) started full

days of pre-k at The Greenhill School this past fall. I coached her soccer team to an 8-1-1 record where she scored 12 goals. Dory was kept busy chasing after Ava (2) who attempted to join the soccer action. I am continually impressed with the athletic and academic achievements of both student body and faculty at Avon. I talk about Old Farms with great pride to family and friends and without doubt my four-year experience gave me the foundation to build on and be successful today.”

Jason Murgio ’94 and his wife, Tricia, announce the arrival of their first child, Peter Colt Murgio, born on October 11, 2009. Colt weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. Former Avon Director Peter Murgio and his wife, Kathy, are proud grandparents!

94 Kelly, Cameron (1½), and Chris Rennick ’96.

Headmaster LaRocque and Spencer Beal ’95 enjoyed a relaxed evening at the Dallas reception in January.

Jason C. Murgio, Class Agent, 336 E. 53rd St., Apt. 4, New York, NY 10022 jason@merger-acquisition.net

After graduating from Carnegie Mellon with a B.S. in management information technology, Jong Hoon Paik returned to Korea to serve in the Korean military, then worked for 2e Consulting, a Korean IT company, as business enterprise architect consultant. Joon met his wife, Rumi, in 1994 while both students at Carnegie Mellon and they were married in 2002. Rumi has a B.S. in industrial design from Carnegie Mellon and her M.S. from Syracuse University. She has worked in LG’s electronics mobile design team. The Paiks currently reside near Santa Monica with their two sons—Edward (4) and Louis (1½). Joon emailed, “We love the great California weather and beach. I work at Wien USA, a Korean-brand cake house, as marketing manager and hope to expand the Wien brand and values to the West Coast.”

95 Anthon y D. Silv estro, Head Class Agent 3 Beech Cir., Andover, MA 01810-2901 tony_silvestro@administaff.com

A graduate of the University of Colorado, Jeff Schleppy currently lives in New York City with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Lyla Rose (1½). He is a senior analyst with Geosphere Capital.

In January, Worldwatch Institute released its new report State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability, which Worldwatch senior researcher Erik Assadouri an directed. Take a look at www.transformingcultures.org.

Eric Miner ’98 was best man at the wedding of Tim Corey ’99.

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

96 m ark a. caruso, Co-Head Class Agent

17 Cedar Ln., Chatham, n.J. 07928-1103 mcaruso@mlp.com John t. Jones, Co-Head Class Agent

125 main St., Apt. 3, newmarket, nh 03857-1623 chris ren nick emailed last fall, “i’ve been married to Kelly three years in September and we have one son, Cameron, who is 18 months old and is running the household already! We live in Warwick, rhode island, with our english Lab, mya. i consider myself lucky to have attended Avon and the things i learned there cannot be duplicated. i am not only talking about academics, but also being the man you should be and how to carry yourself in this world both personally and professionally. even today, i go back to think of what i learned there. it’s an amazing place and i hope my son will be able to experience it as a freshman and not a pG.” After spending 10 years in the power quality industry, Chris was recently appointed vice president of government sales at e-mon, LLC.” e-mon is the industry leader in solid-state electronic, kilowatt-hour submeters and is an active member of the Federal energy management program task force, Alliance to Save energy, Association of energy engineers, u.S. Green Building Council, and other organizations. brent Dr ake lives in Austin and finished

his m.B.A. at u.. of T Texas this winter. he has also been working at dell and swimming, biking, and running to try to qualify for the iron man competition in hawaii.

97 timothY b. staY, Co-Head Class Agent

500 Old Farms rd., Avon, CT 06001 stayt@avonoldfarms.com k Y le r. Youngquist, Co-Head Class Agent 635 West 42nd St., Apt. 9C, new York, nY 10036-1922 kyoungquist@msdcapital.com

Western Connecticut State university head men’s Lacrosse Coach Jason ouellet (who was married in January) is working with three new assistants including Jim crozier ’98, who has been involved with lacrosse for the last 16 years. After graduating from St. michael’s College in 2002, as a three-year starting goalie, Crozier coached youth lacrosse, high school level, and at St. michael’s College with a specific focus on improving the goalie play.

“Peas on earth” card sent during the holidays show Jack (1) and baby Anna Lee, born November 14, 2009, the children of Caitlin and David Farrell ’98.

Brendan Mooney ’99 married Stacey Michelle Lyman in January.

Gilbert Son ’99, Se Jun Lim ’01, Sang Toon Kim ’98, Brian Son ’01, Woo Il Lee ’01 and friends joined Headmaster LaRocque and Dean evans for an Avon alumni reception at The Seoul Club in February.

Alumni Online Community The Avon Old Farms Online Alumni Community continues to grow into a popular web destination and forum for alumni. The site allows alumni access to all sorts of information including reunion year homepages, classmate contact info, an online directory search, online donations, enews eews archives, personalized contact lists, class notes submissions, a monthly alumni feature article, and up-to-date information regarding any upcoming alumni events in your region. A registration identification number is needed for you to gain secure access. iff you did not receive an id number by email, or if

you have any other problems, questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this resource, please do not hesitate to give us a call in the Alumni Office toll free at 1-800-336-8195 or email us at alumni@avonoldfarms.com. Thank you!

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98 geoFFreY r. barloW, Co-Head Class Agent Avon Old Farms School, 500 Old Farms rd., Avon, CT 06001 geoffbarlow34@gmail.com J. anDreW corrigan, Co-Head Class Agent 23 Beacon St., Somerville, mA 02143 jamesandrewcorrigan@gmail.com Dav iD Farrell and his wife, Caitlin, announce

the birth of Anna Lee, born november 14, 2009, and weighing 8 lbs. 4oz. Anna arrived a day after headmaster Laroque and dean peter evans visited the family in illinois. Anna was welcomed home by big brother, Jack (1).

Rob Dowling ’91 and eric Hill ’00 enjoyed a day of golf during the summer of 2009 at the Madison Country Club in Madison, Connecticut. Despite the smiles on the faces in the picture, the golfer of the day was eric’s father, Christopher, who was the unchallenged leader on the scorecard!

Brooks Clinton ’02 is engaged to Melissa Miller. They met at an apartment complex where they were both residing and plan to marry on August 6, 2010, in Morristown, New Jersey. They recently bought a house in Scotch Plains.

cr aig evans v vans has taught at the re r ctory School

since 2003 and was recently awarded the Kellogg Grant by the headmaster. Craig is passionate about improving the lives of young people, and his leadership and dedication to placing the needs of his students above his own made him the perfect recipient.

99 Dav iD r. grY boski, Co-Head Class Agent 5337 Gulf dr., Suite 300, holmes Beach, FL 34217 dgryboski@tampabay.rr.com brenDan mooneY married Stacey michelle

L Lyman at the Westbury manor in Westbury, new York, on January 16, 2010. Avonians br aD steWa W rt ’99 and th atcher m artin ’99 Wa were in attendance. Brendan met Stacey through her two brothers who work for him at Fire island Ferries in Bay Shore, new York. Stacey teaches 7th grade math in Queens, new York.

The Cole Family: Marty, a member of Avon’s Board of Directors, Terri, Liz, Jack, and Sam ’04.

In case you missed it… visit sit www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian for the February 2010 issue of The Village Green, the onlineonly supplement to The Avonian. The winter issue featured highlights from the fall athletics season as well as coverage of many of the exciting 2009 holiday events at AOF, including winter concerts, Toys for Tots, and the Boar’s head Festival.

Log on now to catch up!

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

r aFael barcenas is the director General

of the Civil Aeronautics Authority in panama, a position equivalent to the FAA Administrator in the united States. he is the youngest person to hold this position in panamanian history, and the youngest person in the world to currently hold the position. rafael is responsible for flight standards (law, aircraft, and flight regulations), airports, air navigation and airspace, airport security, and air transport (passenger carriers and cargo). he also supervises presidential aviation (all maintenance and training of flight crews) and is the Chief pilot for the CAA Search and rescue team, and the captain of the SAr r Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.

00

04

Mich ael J. O’Neill , Co-Head Class Agent

Luke Arch ambault, Class Agent

37 Anderson St. Apt. 6, Boston, MA 02114 michael.oneill@fmr.com

59 High St., South Hadley, MA 01075 archlu01@gettysburg.edu

Daniel Seiden, Co-Head Class Agent

M ac McDonald lives in Baltimore and emailed, “I am still teaching history at Boys’ Latin, doing my best to channel my inner-Narsipur. In addition to coaching lacrosse, I am faculty advisor to our brand new Model UN Club this year.” [Editor’s note: Chandra Narsipur taught history at Avon for 21 years before retiring in 2003.] Mac attended Avon’s Chevy Chase Reception last winter.

59 Fox Hollow, Avon, Ct 06001 seidend@avonoldfarms.com KC Tenuk as , Co-Head Class Agent

1919 W. Carmen St., Tampa, FL 33606 ktenukas@clwrg.com Mike O’Neill recently got engaged to MaryEllen Sullivan and the two are busy planning their wedding, which will be on Block Island August 28, 2010.

01

Christopher D. Colem an

Co-Head Class Agent 4464 Greenwich Parkway NW Washington, DC 20007 christopherdcoleman@gmail.com Nicholas H. LaRocque , Co-Head Class Agent

128 Fuller St, Apt. 9, Brookline, MA 02446-5724 larocque.nicholas@gmail.com

02 W illi am P. Beatson , Class Agent

355 East 88th St., Apt. 4F, New York, NY 10128 wpbeatson3@yahoo.com Ch arles Ward took a job transfer with Ferguson Enterprises and moved out to San Francisco in September. He attended the Avon reception in January at The Pacific-Union Club.

In January Avon heard from David Tu from Taipei, Taiwan, who was at that time getting an M.B.A. from Hitotsubashi University, Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy in Tokyo.

03 Jamie Tang , Class Agent

309 East 81st St., New York, NY 10028 jamesttang@gmail.com Joey K aroly is engaged to Laura Cook after proposing in West Palm Beach this past December.

They look forward to a June wedding next year.

John Ch arles Ier ardi is an actor in Los Angeles. He landed a national Gillette shaving cream commercial with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. He is also in the upcoming films The Truth About Angels and Spread, with Ashton Kutcher.

Alvaro Tapi a represented his native country, Panama, in the Americas Cup Golf Tournament in Argentina on January 6th. The tournament brings together 12 countries of the Americas. The fourth and last round was played January 9 at Los Olivos Golf Club in Argentina. Alvaro won the right to represent Panama last October at the Golf Club of Panama. While a student at Avon, Alvaro played on the golf team his sophomore, junior, and senior years. His senior year, Avon won both the Founders League Championships and KIT (New England’s).

Zach Bartholomew took part in the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, February 27. Funds raised through the Polar Bear Plunge help advance the goal of Special Olympics New Jersey, to provide free, year-round training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports to more than 18,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Gilman Callsen ’04 married Katrina Elizabeth Preston on August 7, 2009, at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia. Gilman’s brother, Tyler ’06, was the best man and another groomsman was Wes Jayne ’04. Gilman wrote, “It was a wonderful day!” Katrina is a middle school math teacher at Kipp Academy in Lynn, Massachusetts.

05 Dane Lemeris, Head Class Agent 38 Chelsea Dr., Cromwell, CT 06416 dlemeris@gmail.com Patrick Healy emailed in October, “Hope all

is well. We have a serious ’05 reunion coming up in May 2010. I’m looking forward to it. I have been working for three months with the Bullen Insurance Group in Long Island. I got my broker’s license at the end of August and have had a great experience so far. I am excited about my new position and look forward to building a book of business. If anyone is ever in need of any personal or commercial insurance services, please feel free to contact me. I am also happy to talk with anyone who may be starting the process of looking for a job. I would be happy to share my experience (success and failure) with anyone interested. As I am just starting out in the professional world, I am always looking for good networking events and contacts. Hope to hear from some of you.”

Bill and Mary Hayes P ’06 and Morgan Barrieau ’04 attended the Dallas gathering of Avonians at the home of Mark Masinter ’82 last winter.

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Jeoff Jarnot was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference Men’s Hockey Player of the Week in December. Jeoff is a senior defenseman and assistant captain for Colby.

Baird Clinkscales ’06 and his mother, Ann, as well as Kathryn and Lance Cashion ’93, were among the Dallas alumni and friends gathered at the Masinters’ home for dinner last January.

Sam Orr graduated from Hobart College last spring and started work in the real world this past June. Sam was captain of the lacrosse team along with fellow Avonian M at t Sm alley.

Sam works for a commercial real estate investment trust firm (REIT) called Boston Properties. After an internship with BP last summer in Boston at BP’s corporate office, his boss presented him the opportunity last spring to work in D.C. Sam lives on Capitol Hill, two blocks behind the Capitol building with a friend who graduated from Bowdoin. Sam attended the Avon gathering in December at the Chevy Chase Club and enjoyed connecting with other Avonians in the area.

06 Adam Bauer, Class Agent

22 Highwood St., Simsbury, CT 06070 atbgmen@aol.com

James Little ’06, Joe DiFiglia ’06, Alex Feld ’06, and Casey Coons ’07 enjoyed the Avon v. Taft Hockey game at Fenway in December.

Br ad Lipkv ich is a senior at Endicott College.

He has been a starter on the lacrosse team for three years and his team won the conference and TCCC (The Commonwealth Coast Conference) championship when he was a freshman. He also won the Conference Rookie of the Year. For his college career he has two ECAC championships, an NCAA tournament appearance, an all-conference midfielder award, and a number five national team ranking. Having scored 51 goals and 37 assists for a total of 88 points in three years, he is on his way to perhaps breaking the 100 point mark this spring. He is working on a full-time internship with the Boston Blazers, a semi-pro lacrosse league, when he is not practicing lacrosse himself.

Kh alid V erjee graduated from Babson after three years and started work at Hamilton Spill, his family’s furniture business. He currently lives in Vietnam where he manages the quality and scheduling of the factories they run there while also expanding business to India.

Barbara and Dan Butts ’06 were able to personally congratulate their sponsored student, Jalmar, in his Ecuadorian village for his academic accomplishments. [Jalmar is wearing a super hero shirt Dan gave him and the little girls are Jalmar’s younger sisters.]

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Spring 2010 The Avonian

inspired by the amazing trip he had taken as a student at AOF with tr av is merrit t ’93 to ecuador and peru, Dan but ts and his mother, Barbara, traveled to ecuador over the Christmas holiday. They were hosted by elena, the wonderful person who shepherded the group when dan first visited as an Avon student. They visited the beach, went to an indian market, and one day dan dressed w up as Santa to the delight of the village children. dan said it was so rewarding to meet Jalmar, their sponsored student, and his little sisters [see picture of dan and Barbara Butts with Jalmar and his sisters]. dan was able to congratulate him on graduating second in his class and let him know how proud he is that Jalmar now attends college. dan was encouraged to see the elementary school Avon donations helped build. dan continues his studies of engineering at north idaho College.

07 m at t beath, Class Agent 12229 prince Towne dr., St. Louis, mO 63142 C11matthew.Beath@usafa.edu

08 W ill henDricks, Class Agent

p.O. Box 38, Shawnee-on-delaware, pA 18356 tartcarter95@hotmail.com kev in sisti, Class Agent 64 pinnacle rd., Farmington, CT 06030 ksideas@aol.com DreW leclerc and rich arD WooDW ell

are roommates at umass and are living in the Southwest Complex.

mich ael m angan wrote, “i am writing to you from up on Beacon hill in the great city of Boston. it is hard to believe that my first year at Suffolk university and new england School of Art and design is almost over! i am in a dual program with both schools as a fine arts major and i must say this is without a doubt the busiest year of my life so far. i am always in and out of the studio or in my three-hour studio classes, but i really love what i am doing. Although college has been very fun thus far, i miss Old Farms every single day. i miss the campus, the community, the people, the school spirit and everything. The times i have been back to visit make it seem like i never left.

This is one of the many reasons why i will always love Avon Old Farms.”

Members of the Class of 2007: Casey Coons, Brady Kain, Jonathan Higginbotham, Armand Wilson, Ryan Petersen, and Dempsey Quinn join Mike Recchia for his 21st birthday celebration on a trip to Atlantic City in December.

k az nak amur a is loving school at William

and mary. The former riddler joined an a capella singing group and the wrestling club, and hosts his own radio show. he misses Avon and credits teachers like mr. Bourgault for challenging him. greg miller will be playing in the new england Collegiate Baseball League for the Sanford mainers of maine this summer after his season at Tulane ends.

John Driscoll ’09, Stephen Driscoll ’06, and Pete Theis ’06 met at The Chevy Chase Club in December for the DC Area reception.

In Memoriam

kiho suh is doing military service in Korea. br anDon moore received an appointment to

The School has learned of the deaths of the following alumni:

West point.

herbert F. schiFFer ’36

09

seth loW Jr. ’38

Jp rotchForD, Class Agent

DaviD r. stinson ’42

54 navesink Ave., rumson, nJ 07760 rotchfordj@gmail.com

Dr. James b. ken Yon ’45

m at theW lauro made dean’s List and

clauD h arris crook Jr. ’56

was named defensive rookie ookie of the Y Year for football at rpi. he is roommates with mich ael herm an n, who earned Offensive player of the Year accolades. matt has connected with ev ril Y claY ton ’01 for a possible internship to work with rensselaer’s endowment Fund this summer. matt is thankful for the networking opportunities that exist in the AOF alumni community.

thom as t. noYe ’62

rich arD c. FoW ler ’48

mich ael a. v iner ’62 John i. carrington ’66 W illi am (billY) liv ingston goDDarD ’69 thom as F. trimingh am ’70 Douglas Derocher ’87

The Avonian Spring 2010

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Faculty Notes Having begun his wrestling coaching career here in the ’70s, it was fitting that when former faculty member Steve Ward was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches’ Hall of Fame in October 2009, Dean Peter Evans, former wrestler Lew Smith ’75, and Dean Henry “Skip” Flanagan would attend. Lew won the wrestling title of National Prep School Heavyweight Champion when Steve was his wrestling coach at Avon. The friendship between Steve and Peter goes back to their undergraduate years at Amherst College, where the two were roommates and Steve was best man in Peter’s wedding. Steve’s honor was presented in a spacious hall within Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, with many students and staff also present from Roxbury Latin in Boston, where Steve currently teaches and coaches.

The family of John Haile, former academic dean.

Faculty member Andy Riemer is engaged to Jessie Condon; they will be married at Avon Old Farms School on August 7, 2010.

Faculty member Jamie Reece and wife Mary Ellen announce the birth of daughter Charlotte Mary, born on March 18th. She was welcomed home by big sister Louisa, 1.

Dean Peter Evans, former faculty member Steve Ward, Lew Smith ’75, and Dean Skip Flanagan.

Louisa and Charlotte Reece.

Faculty member Andy Riemer and fiancée Jessie Condon Anaya (2), daughter of Taz and Lee Huguley ’92. Lee is the assistant dean of faculty and the family lives in Pelican dormitory.

46

Spring 2010 The Avonian

Jake, Chancey, Eamon, and Seamus, sons of Avon teacher Tim Beneski, pose with White Sox bullpen coach Juan Nieves ’83 at Fenway Park. Thanks to the generosity of Avonian Mike Cercone ’75, the Beneskis had a tour of Fenway, which included going on the field for the Sox batting practice.

We are proud to recognize the following individuals who have made plans in their estates to make a difference for Avon Old Farms School over the long term. These deferred gifts to Avon Old Farms include bequests, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance, real estate and collectibles.

By building our endowment through planned gifts, we can offer more financial aid to deserving students, provide better compensation to our faculty, maintain the beauty of mrs. riddle’s ddle’s magnificent campus, and enhance the academic, athletic, and arts programs. Currently there are over 160 alumni, parents, and friends of the school who have, either openly or anonymously,

made their planned gift intentions known to the school. We welcome you to follow their lead and join the riddle Society. By planning ahead, they have not only become part of the pipeline for future advancement of Avon, but have also provided for their loved ones and have reduced their exposure to local, state, and federal taxes. iff you are about to construct your first estate plan, or plan to update your estate when the circumstances of your life change, please think about Avon Old Farms School, where graduates, sons, and grandsons become men and make friends for life.

The Avonian

47

The Last Word

Alumnus Football

Patrick Ashe ’91 and

Kevin Driscoll ’72

Bill Jones had been the shining star upon his college team.

His tackling was ferocious and his bucking was a dream.

When husky William took the ball beneath his brawny arm They had two extra men to ring the ambulance alarm.

Bill tried to punt out of the rut, but ere he turned the trick Right Tackle Competition scuttled through and blocked the kick.

And when he tackled at Success in one long, vicious prod The Fullback Disappointment steered his features in sod.

Bill hit the line and ran the ends like some mad bull amuck.

The other team would shiver when they saw him start to buck.

And when some rival tackler tried to block his dashing pace, On waking up, he’d ask, “Who drove that truck across my face?”

Bill was no quitter, so he tried a buck in higher gear, But Left Guard Envy broke it up and stood him on his ear.

Whereat he aimed a forward pass, but in two vicious bounds Big Center Greed slipped through a hole and rammed him out of bounds.

Bill had the speed—Bill had the weight—Bill never bucked in vain; From goal to goal he whizzed along while fragments, strewed the plain, And there had been a standing bet, which no one tried to call, That he could make his distance through a ten-foot granite wall.

But one day, when across the Field of Fame the goal seemed dim, The wise old coach, Experience, came up and spoke to him.

“Oh Boy,” he said, “the main point now before you win your bout Is keep on bucking Failure till you’ve worn the piker out!”

When he wound up his college course each student’s heart was sore.

They wept to think bull-throated Bill would sock the line no more.

Not so with William—in his dreams he saw the Field of Fame, Where he would buck to glory in the swirl of Life’s big game.

“And, kid, cut out this fancy stuff—go in there, low and hard; Just keep your eye upon the ball and plug on, yard by yard, And more than all, when you are thrown or tumbled with a crack, Don’t sit there whining—hustle up and keep on coming back;

Sweet are the dreams of college life, before our faith is nicked— The world is but a cherry tree that’s waiting to be picked; The world is but an open road—until we find, one day, How far away the goal posts are that called us to the play.

“Keep coming back with all you’ve got, without an alibi, If Competition trips you up or lands upon your eye, Until at last above the din you hear this sentence spilled: ‘We might as well let this bird through before we all get killed.’

So, with the sheepskin tucked beneath his arm in football style, Bill put on steam and dashed into the thickest of the pile; With eyes ablaze he sprinted where the laurelled highway led— When Bill woke up his scalp hung loose and knots adorned his head.

“You’ll find the road is long and rough, with soft spots far apart, Where only those can make the grade who have the Uphill Heart.

And when they stop you with a thud or halt you with a crack, Let Courage call the signals as you keep on coming back.

He tried to run the ends of life, but with rib-crushing toss A rent collector tackled him and threw him for a loss.

And when he switched his course again and dashed into the line The massive Guard named Failure did a toddle on his spine.

“Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine, Let every game’s end find you still upon the battling line; For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.”

By Grantland rice This poem was recited by Duncan Cooke ’13 on March 9, 2010, as part of the annual Poetry Recitation Contest. Duncan was awarded an Honorable Mention.

Study Hall, circa 1930. A Lower School, grades seven and eight, was part of the academic structure of Old Farms from its founding until the mid-1950s. During the early years, classes were an hour and a half in length, with the last half hour devoted to a study period. –William Rittase photograph, from Avon’s archives.

Avon Old Farms School 500 Old Farms Road Avon, Connecticut 06001 www.avonoldfarms.com

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