Spring 2011 Bancroft Bulletin

BANCROFT Bulletin Spring/Summer 2011

Tuned into Steve Magnante ’82

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Windows on Bancroft 1

Freshman physics at work as Celeste N. tests her egg drop device designed to protect the egg from breaking after a 5.0 meter drop.

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Varsity girls basketball has made a come-back in recent years with the 2010-2011 girls reaching the EIL Division B Tournament finals.

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US French exchange traveled to Paris and Meaux where seven students enjoyed touring France and living with host families.

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Kindergarten students celebrate 100 days of school on February 28th.

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Carol Ryan's 4th grade physical education classes ended their Winter Olympic Games with a closing ceremony and passed the Olympic flag to next year's competitors—the 3rd graders.

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Urinetown: The Musical cast members perform during rehearsal night at the Harrington Theatre.

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Contents

BANCROFT Bulletin |

Spring/Summer 2011

3 iPad pilot launched...

BANCROFT SCHOOL

3 Director of Institutional Advancement Liz Siladi

8 Standing Tall

Editor-In-Chief / Director of Marketing and Communications Matthew Barone

Confidence is built day-by-day throughout the Bancroft K-12 experience. Students, faculty, and alumni reap benefits in many ways.

Editor / Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Communications Lynn St. Germain Director of Development Laurie Bowater

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12 Matchbox Cars—and a

Administrative Assistants Lydia Barter, Catherine Hanssen

Bancroft Education—Fuel Car Enthusiast's Career

Design Linda Dagnello Editorial Assistant Deena S. Madnick Contributors Russ Campbell, Priyanka D., Matt Robinson, Robin Silverman

Bancroft Bulletin is published biannually

by Bancroft School, 110 Shore Drive, Worcester, MA 01605-3198. Issues are published fall/winter and spring/summer and mailed to all known alumni of Bancroft School as part of the benefit of their having attended the School.

Bancroft Bulletin provides a medium for the exchange of views concerning Bancroft School affairs; news about the School and its alumni; and editorial content that relates to the shared and diverse experiences and interests of Bancroft alumni.

Cover Photo: Steve Magnante '82 broadcasting for SPEEDTV

NYTimes visits Bancroft...

College Acceptances...LS Art History First Championship Win for Boys Basketball...Student Spotlight: Caitlin Howland.

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A look at Steve Magnante's '82 climb from Bancroft to writer and broadcaster.

16 2011 Award Recipients L.Victoria Powers Lucinda Reed Sanders ’71 Amol Sharma ’96

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17 Alumni News

Photos: Russ Campbell

Dear Bancroft Friends: It is hard to express in writing the excitement that has gripped this campus over the last several months.

This edition of the Bulletin will, I trust, convey some of that enthusiasm as we continue to live our mission of developing a diverse community of life-long learners, teachers of others, and citizens of the globe. In this setting, excellence abounds.

Bancroft’s senior class boasts five National Merit finalists and five commended students—representing 20% of the senior class. And their college acceptances so far have reflected our seniors’ remarkable talents and potential.

Our athletic teams have also met with much success, with our boys varsity soccer team making the NEPSAC finals. And we witnessed Bancroft’s first ever varsity basketball team clinch the NEPSAC championship. And who can forget another victorious season for our girls varsity volleyball team. They are now well beyond the state record of consecutive victories, ending this season once again undefeated, making it 162 matches in a row.

And Bancroft’s science program achieved national recognition for its Advanced Placement Program.

For many years, science department chair Joan Carlson has served as a grader, consultant, and teacher for the Advanced Placement biology examination. Her commitment led Bancroft students to be featured as the lead story in the New York Times Education Supplement for their efforts in spearheading a new lab connected with the A.P. biology examination revision that is in process.

Looking toward the future of technology integration in the classroom, selected Upper and Middle Schoolers as well as faculty and administrators are conducting a pilot program employing Apple iPads for their class work. The result of a generous gift from eClinicalWorks, LLC, this pilot program supplements the hundreds of desktops and laptops we have available to Bancroft students, K through grade 12.

Enjoy reading this issue of the Bulletin. There’s so much to celebrate this year, and I look forward to your feedback and continuing reflections.

Scott R. Reisinger Headmaster

News

Features

Bancroft Launches iPad Pilot Initiative Program made possible by a generous gift from eClinicalWorks LLC of Westborough, MA

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n its first phase that began in January of this year, the Apple iPad Pilot includes 13 Upper School students, 13 Middle School students, 11 faculty members from both divisions, and four administrators.

Each person selected received an iPad for use throughout the rest of this academic year as well as the opportunity to acquire educational iPad apps that they feel will improve their learning and usage. The ultimate objective is to answer a number of critical questions about how the device can enhance and support learning.

“We believe that iPads will provide students and teachers with an enhanced educational experience that stimulates individualized learning,” says Scott Reisinger, headmaster. “Bancroft is at the forefront of technological advances. While there is still ample time for the pilot to run its course, indications from faculty and students suggest that the iPad has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn.”

The project was made possible by a generous gift from eClinicalWorks LLC of Westborough, MA who donated $30,000. “We are pleased to be supporting such a ground-breaking educational initiative as proposed by the Bancroft School’s leadership,” says Girish Navani, president of eClinicalWorks. “The iPad is an impressive improvement in mobile computing with the possibility of greatly enhancing student learning.”

Faculty and students will not only be asked to contribute their opinions on the device’s usefulness with regards to access to course texts, note-taking, cloud file storage and sharing, research resources, organizational aids, and increased communication, but also in setting goals for their own expectations.

“The iPad offers far less intrusion in the classroom than a laptop,” says Elisa Heinricher, pilot coordinator and computer science teacher. “With the loss of a raised laptop screen the iPad’s flat design has removed a barrier between teacher and student.”

“It certainly is more convenient,” says Tommy P., a senior. “My backpack weighs a lot less without textbooks now that they are all accessible through my iPad. I’m also able to easily record lectures for other students who missed class or refer to them on my own as a refresher prior to exams.”

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Students and teachers will be encouraged to discover new applications and best practice usage that they feel enhance the learning and instruction experience. “Early results indicate that the iPad pushes students, in particular, toward individualized learning to the point where they feel comfortable discovering new solutions through the use of the device,” says Heinricher.

Another senior participating in the program, Uday A., feels the device encourages constant learning through sheer accessibility. “It is always on and connected. I have found it enormously useful in my math class for visualizing graphs of functions to the point that my friends are now asking to borrow it.”

As part of the thoughtful exploration of the device’s benefits, participants will utilize a discussion board to share their thoughts on the uses and management of the iPad, providing real-time feedback. Over the summer of 2011 a full analysis of the pilot program will be completed for review by administrators in consideration of implementing a permanent program.

News Features

Latin Book Projects

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he Upper School Latin II classes completed their Latin Book Projects, which not only included writing and illustrating original books in Latin with English translations, but also taping, sewing, and binding the books. When the books were finished, Latin students visited both of Bancroft’s first grade classrooms to share their stories with these younger learners.

The Latin book project coincides with the first grade’s study of the Middle Ages, in which Latin was still spoken. The first graders were paired up with their older Latin peers to listen to the Latin versions of the stories and to read the English translations afterwards. Each first grader had the opportunity to hear and read four to five creations.

“It was a wonderful chance for the first graders to listen to the language which was spoken during the time 4

period that they are studying, and an equally valuable experience for the Upper School students,” says Latin Teacher Robin Silverman. “The older students were thrilled to share their books with a very appreciative and enthusiastic audience.”

College Board and NYTimes Call Upon Bancroft’s

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rs. Carlson and A.P. biology go hand-in-hand.

For the last 32 years she has helped to lead Bancroft’s comprehensive science department and inspired hundreds of Upper School students along the way.

As a specialist in her field recognized nationally, Joan Carlson also contributes to the College Board’s

effort to train teachers and design the Advanced Placement exams for biology. In fact, early this year her two A.P. biology classes at Bancroft piloted a new lab for the College Board that will be used in a few years nationally.

The new labs being tested are more in line with Bancroft’s existing K-12 science program and philosophy— providing more creative analytical thinking than the existing labs offer.

New York Times reporter Christopher Drew interviewed Carlson for more than four hours over a number of days in preparation for the special feature. “In many ways this was a crash course in A.P. biology for the Times writer,” says Carlson.

“He had a number of provocative questions for me and the students he interviewed. He was especially impressed by the intellect and confidence of our students. You could hear the excitement in his voice when he told me that the editors at the Times

decided to make Bancroft the cover story for their Education Life section of the newspaper. Apparently they liked the story too!”

Excerpt from the NYTimes article: The goal [of these changes in the exam] is to clear students’ minds to focus on bigger concepts and stimulate more analytic thinking.

In biology, a host of more creative, hands-on experiments are intended to help students think more like scientists.

Caroline Brown, a senior who stages the school’s plays, connected the lab to her passion for theater.

She borrowed green, sky blue and “Broadway pink” filters from the playhouse to test how different shades of light affected photosynthesis in sunken spinach leaves. The pink surprised her by narrowly edging out the blue in triggering photosynthesis.

Bancroft Seniors Celebrate College Acceptances Plugging into College

Science Labs To view the article in its entirety visit www.nytimes.com using the search tab for the past 12 months and keywords “Rethinking Advanced Placement.”

Joan Carlson has announced her retirement from Bancroft at the conclusion of the 2010 – 2011 academic year ending June 30.

According to Joan, she plans to stay involved in the College Board A.P. Biology program training teachers, spending more time with her husband and grandchildren, and enjoying time at their second home in Maine. Joan intends to participate with the transition of her future replacement and potentially even return to Bancroft for a few classes throughout the year. Says Joan, “I’ve made so many close friends at Bancroft over the years that staying in touch and connected is a must.”

Do you have a Joan Carlson memory to share?

Blog about it at bancroftschool.org/carlson

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s has been the trend in the last few years, a large number of Bancroft seniors decided to apply to college early this year through early decision, early action, and rolling admission programs. The college-counseling experience at Bancroft is a multi-year process involving a strong partnership between the student, parent, and counseling staff.

“Matching the interests and skills of the student with the characteristics of each college is a key priority during this process,” says Jackie Lefebvre, Director of College Counseling. “We are proud of the achievements each of these students has made at Bancroft to gain admission into the colleges of their choice.”

This year students from the senior class have received a wide range of higher education opportunities across the United State and their plans for future studies are just as varied.

Academy of Art University University of Alabama Anna Maria College (2) Assumption College (3) Babson College Becker College Bennington College Bentley University (2) Boston College (8) Boston University (8) Bowdoin College Brandeis University (4) Brown University (5) Bryant University (2) Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve (6) Champlain College University of Chicago (4) Clark University (5) Colgate University Columbia University (2) Connecticut College (2) Cornell University (2) University of Connecticut (2) Dartmouth College (2) University of Delaware (2) Duke University Eckerd College Emerson College Emory University (3) Fairfield University (3) Fisher College Florida Institute of Technology Fordham University (7) Framingham State University

Full Sail University Georgetown University George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Gustavus Adolphus College University of Hartford (3) Harvard University High Point University (2) Hofstra University (2) College of the Holy Cross (11) Indiana University (3) Ithaca College (2) Johns Hopkins University (2) Johnson and Wales University (2) La Salle University Lehigh University (2) Loyola University New Orleans (2) Macalester College Maine College of Art UMASS-Amherst (16) Mass College of Art and Design Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (2) Merrimack College University of Michigan (2) University of Minnesota University of New Hampshire (3) New York University (2) Northeastern University (9) Northwestern University (2) Norwich University Oklahoma State University University of Pennsylvania (3) Penn State University University of Pittsburgh Polytechnic Institute of NYU Princeton University (2)

Principia College Providence College (3) Quinnipiac University (6) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (3) University of Rhode Island University of Rochester Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University (3) Salve Regina University Seton Hall University Simmons College Skidmore College (2) Smith College Southwestern University St. Catherine University—St. Paul St. Olaf College (2) Stanford University Stonehill College SUNY Binghamton Trinity College (5) Trinity University (Texas) Tufts University (5) Tulane University Union College (2) University of Vermont (8) University of Virginia Villanova University Wellesley College (2) Wentworth Institute of Technology (2) Wesleyan University (2) Western New England College Wheaton College (3) University of Wisconsin Worcester Polytechnic Institute (8) Yale University (2)

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News Features Lower School Art History Project

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his winter fifth grade students, under the direction of art teacher Mary Edwards and Lower School Librarian Lisa Leach, created mosaic portraits through an innovative art history project titled Portrait of an Artist. A Lower School annual project that takes on new aspects each year, this effort combines the Modern Library Association’s standards for library research with creative artistic exploration to give students a greater understanding of art history. The assignment requires students to demonstrate critical thinking skills, limit the scope of inquiry, understand the importance of planning, and prioritize facts.

This year students began by working individually to research a prominent figure in American or Mexican art history as they used subscription databases, biographical texts, and art periodicals. In the art room, students worked collaboratively to identify shades and tones, create facial features

and arrange details to build the likeness of their artist. Students used information they had learned to inspire a background in which the uniqueness of the artist comes through. This is demonstrated in the mosaic of William H. Johnson (r) that contains pictures of the African-American community he frequently based his work on.

Students worked both individually and collaboratively on common tasks—they divided responsibilities and were responsible for critiquing their own work. Through the creation of these mosaics, Edwards says, “Students synthesize the information they have learned to help them understand the artists’ intentions about why they specifically created the way he or she did.”

“I’m looking for students to draw inferences from text to form conclusions, make critical judgments, and create unique interpretations,” says Leach. “Two valuable constructs that Mary and I focus on are spatial ordering

and higher-order cognition. Spatial ordering includes understanding information that is presented visually, generating projects that are visual, and organizing materials and spaces.

Principles of higher order cognition include understanding concepts; evaluating ideas, opinions, and facts; generating original ideas; and applying logical approaches to complex problems.

The culminating point of the project took place when students proudly presented their artist and mosaic portraits to the wider community at a Lower School assembly.

First Championship Win for Boys Basketball

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he Bancroft Bulldogs boys basketball team defeated the #1 seeded Wooster School and claimed their first-ever victory in the NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Boys Basketball Class D Championship. This was the Bulldogs second appearance in the finals.

The 10-member team consisting of five seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores, under the coaching leadership of Mark O’Brien and John Duggan ’77, brought a lot of energy to each game. Although they are not physically overpowering, teammates worked together

utilizing their speed and athleticism to disrupt their opponents’ offense. Senior Dalton J., team captain who was named tournament MVP, scored a game high of 25 points leading Bancroft to a 57-41 victory over their topseeded opponent. Melvin K., junior captain, played 32 minutes of lock down defense and scored 8 points. Bryce Turner, junior captain, scored 12 points.

According to O’Brien, who has coached the Bulldogs for 20 years, “these players went through the classic evolution of a team, experiencing losses at the beginning of the season, but rebounding through self-reflection, respect, and learning to trust each other along with their coaches.

They possessed a lot of passion in this year’s tournament, right through to the championship game, which proved the essential element.”

O’Brien, was named EIL Basketball Coach of the year for the 2010-2011 season. The conference includes historically-strong athletic programs at Pingree School and Hamden Hall Country Day School among others, regionally.

With 19 interscholastic sports teams and 80 seasons as league champions, Bancroft offers students athletic opportunities that exceed other area college preparatory schools.

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Headmaster Elected to 3-Year Term at NEASC

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Caitlin H.:

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cott Reisinger has been elected to the 20-member Commission for Independent Schools of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The organization provides accreditation services for more than 2,000 public and private institutions in the six state region—Pre-K through university. Emanating from high quality standards, NEASC accreditation uses self-reflection, peer review, and best practices as integral components of its assessment process. NEASC consists of six Commissions, each of which sets the standards for a particular segment of the educational community.

The Commission on Independent Schools accredits a wide range of private schools in the six states of New England.

Schools served include traditional boarding and day preparatory schools, private elementary schools, schools serving students with special needs, and religiously-affiliated schools of many faiths. Currently the Commission is working with over 600 schools in various stages of the accreditation process. Each of these schools is accredited using the same protocols and materials assuring that the school is faithful to its mission, conducts its programs appropriately to meet its goals and fulfills the standards established by the Commission on Independent Schools.

In addition to NEASC, Reisinger currently serves as president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Schools of New England, and is immediate past president of the Worcester Historical Museum. He is also an elected member of the American Antiquarian Society and has recently lectured on various subjects associated with the Civil War.

MS Student with Dance Passion

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ilot Amelia Earhart once said, “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”

Bancroft seventh grader Caitlin H. certainly embodies this spirit of adventure. Five to six days a week, Caitlin studies classical ballet and aerial silks with teacher Joanna Duncan of the Dance Artist Classical Coaching School. Her aerial training consists of a foundation of classical ballet and acrobatic work suspended in the air. Caitlin played several roles including the Snowflake in the Hybrid Movement Company’s production of Clara’s Dream, a Nutcracker Story at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Caitlin started taking ballet and tap classes at age three and began classical ballet training at age ten. She was inspired to take on aerial training at age eleven during a summer intensive workshop prepared by her teacher, Ms. Duncan. The program features breakdancing, hand balancing, classical, contemporary, and aerial ballet.

Caitlin has acquired a unique hobby and now puts in about sixteen hours of practice every week. Although she spends a significant amount of time dancing, Caitlin says that dance has taught her a great deal about her school work. “Dance is really detailed, which has helped me in the classroom at Bancroft.” She has learned to pay close attention to details and not to “rush through problems,” but rather to take her time and think about them.

At the same time, Caitlin says that dance has taught her to maintain a positive outlook on life. Although it can often be difficult, she says, dance makes “stress and worry go away” and teaches her to remain relaxed and positive in academic settings.

For those wishing to see Caitlin in action, she is taking part in a student production at Worcester Technical High School on June 19 and the Boston College production of Christmas Reflections in December 2011.

— Priyanka D. ’11

Standing Tall 8

Confidence built day-by-day

BY MATT ROBINSON

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sk any Bancroft graduate and they will rattle off a long, long list of benefits they garnered while a student at their beloved school. Top among these, however, would be the all-important element of confidence. From the first time students hold a flag in the auditorium as kindergartners until their senior research projects, a Bancroft education gives students not only the knowledge and skills to succeed, but also the confidence to use what they have learned to make their own lives and the lives of others better.

According to Lower School Head Jyoti Datta, confidence is a “mindset” that Bancroft students have from their earliest days. But, of what exactly does this confidence consist?

“Confidence is being able to stand up and hold your own in front of classmates, teachers, older and younger peers, and adults,” Datta suggests.

And while it is hoped that all children grow up in an environment in which such attributes can be developed, Datta says that Bancroft is especially adept at supporting it.

“Our students feel comfortable with who they are and confident to be able to learn and own their learning,” she says, citing the Lower School as “an environment where people care for students and care about what they have to say.”

Photos: (Opposite page) Zachary D. (l) and Andrew H. (r) pose on stage for the Speech Team. (Above (l)) LS student holds the flag at Assembly. (Above (r)) LS Head Jyoti Datta observes work of the Kindergarten during a class visit.

While many students do not even look at complex texts like the works of Shakespeare until high school, Bancroft students not only explore but perform these plays much earlier on. In fact, Datta says, today’s fourth graders not only present performances of Twelfth Night

“Students are validated and encouraged,”

Datta says. “They come to recognize their

strengths and share their talents and accomplishments with others in a

nurturing and encouraging environment.”

While many educators talk about supporting their students in developing confidence, Datta and her team of teachers in the Lower School have the students speak for themselves.

“Starting in Kindergarten,” Datta notes, “each child has an opportunity to be up on stage during our weekly assembly leading the school in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.” Many students also publicly share what they are learning or doing in their classes with parents, teachers, and peers. Such opportunities give students a chance to take risks and enter unfamiliar and potentially uncomfortable situations with support. “Public speaking is encouraged from a very young age, and they learn to embrace this with enthusiasm and excitement, instead of fear,” Datta says.

and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, they also perform such stories as Goldilocks and the Three Bears…in French!

In addition to drama, many Bancroft students also take advantage of the school’s strong arts and music programs as means of self-expression and development.

“Students are validated and encouraged,” Datta says.

“They come to recognize their strengths and share their talents and accomplishments with others in a nurturing and encouraging environment.”

Though these skills may first be developed within the more comfortable confines of the Bancroft community, many students are soon ready to show their stuff to the outside world. From the fifth grade theatrical production and numerous field trips to a four-day trip to Leadership School at Camp Kieve before the transition to Middle continued on page 10

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continued from page 9

Photos: (Clockwise from (l)) Seniors and US Faculty pose after a day of team building in Maine. Fourth grader speaks to LS assembly about her project on the Monarchs; Eighth grader presents her Forum project to the MS Assembly; LS students play the recorder during Friday morning assembly.

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School, Bancroft students spread their wings far sooner than many other students.

In fact, public speaking begins early on in a Bancroft career and continues right through to graduation. In the Middle School Jane Merritt, a member of the eighth grade team, views the Eighth Grade Forum as another key element in the Bancroft system of confidence-building.

According to Merritt, confidence involves “a feeling of self-assurance that a student gets when they believe in their own abilities or qualities.” And just as they have plenty of opportunities to show and share in Lower School, there are many Middle School milestones that continue to bolster their confidence. From Speak Out in sixth grade (during which students present research projects) to the seventh grade Science Fair to Eighth Grade Forum (in which students must prepare and present a four-minute talk utilizing PowerPoint on a subject of their choice) and the World Fair (for which eighth graders research, prepare, and present a talk through PowerPoint about literature and current events in various countries), the path through Bancroft’s Middle School is virtually paved with opportunities to show what students know and to feel good about doing so. “Each year the projects require students to work more independently and to present to larger groups.”

Much of this progress takes time and encouragement from teachers and peers. “Speak Out completely changed me in front of an audience,” says seventh grader Carleigh O. “The teachers helped me to prepare and face my fears. They gave me constructive criticism and encouraged me to

prepare by speaking in front of an audience before the real thing. The preparation and support that I received at Bancroft didn’t exist at my previous school.”

Even Middle School Assemblies are completely student-run and feature book reviews, vocabulary-based skits and other public speaking segments that are prepared and presented by the students for the students. “Students who choose to do so may also use the Assembly to showcase a particular talent they have,” Merritt says, recalling such diverse offerings as pianists, jugglers, and a student rock band.

As Bancroft students progress through the program they are continuously supported. The Upper School experience is no different. As at the beginning of their careers, opportunities for public speaking and presentation foster such personality elements and get soon-to-be graduates ready to present themselves to colleges and the world.

Though confidence building is a key element of the Bancroft experience from start to finish, Upper School instructor and speech team coach Chris Sheldon observes that it is never explicitly discussed. It just is.

“I don't think you could say Bancroft has a ‘system’ of confidence building,” Sheldon suggests. “I think instilling confidence is what we all try to do in our classrooms and extracurricular activities, and that makes it integral.”

By providing students with appropriate challenges and the support to overcome them, the Bancroft system allows and encourages students to find and develop their own sense of confidence.

Karen Fuller’s advanced Latin students each prepare, lecture, and assess one class as an assignment. “They must come into this exercise not only knowing the material, but possessing the certainty that they can lead their peers through 45 minutes of class time,” says Fuller. “Students typically leave this teaching experience with both a stronger belief in their abilities as well as a renewed respect for the profession.”

As Sheldon works directly with the speech team (a team that has qualified for one of the national tournaments for the past six state champions, and nine runners-up), he may get to see some of the more confident Bancroft students. However, he says, many come to him with other skills and strengths that also contribute to their public speaking.

“A lot of the students who come to the team already have some confidence,” Sheldon admits, “and certainly the team gives them an opportunity to shine in a way that they might not otherwise have. However, all students on the team, from those that win awards at Nationals to those who have just started, bring talents.”

Speaking of talents, many Bancroft students have been able to use the skills and talents fostered and developed at the school in their post-Bancroft careers. Wilma Cespedes-Rivera ’05 graduated from Bancroft and is now a successful actor in New York.

“Confidence is an energy that needs to develop with time,” Cespedes-Rivera suggests, “and I must say that my confidence in my craft began at Bancroft.” In fact, Cespedes-Rivera credits the talented team at Bancroft with lighting the “small wick of confidence that was in me back then and fanning the flame into the confident conflagration it is now.”

“It is hard to say that I was truly confident in high school,” she admits, “but Bancroft gave me the tools I needed to begin to develop my confidence. Whether it was in the speech team, bringing home awards, or the fact that when I got to college I knew what the right format of writing a paper was—Bancroft truly did guide me in the right direction.”

As a member of the speech team and the theater program, Cespeda-Rivera took full advantage of the opportunities to develop herself at Bancroft.

“My passion for acting grew far more at Bancroft than it ever would have at a public school,” says CespedaRivera, who notes that she still keeps in touch with Mr. Sheldon and does what she can to support the next generation of speech stars. “I only hope that those programs are still helping students today.”

Don’t worry, Wilma—They are!

Matt Robinson is an educator and journalist in Boston, MA

Photos: (Clockwise from upper (l)) US Faculty member Chris Sheldon speaks to students on campus; Third graders collaborate on a quilt project for the unit on slavery; Carleigh O. presents to an audience during Speak Out; MS Faculty member Jane Merritt assists history students in the Garfield Library; Wilma Cespedes-Rivera ’05 (c) performs in "Girls Night: The Musical"

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By Matthew Barone

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eginning in 1964 and lasting until 1972, the major American auto makers were engaged in a race to create the most powerful road cars in automotive history. Driven by millions of fun-seeking baby boomers who sought excitement behind the wheel, the resulting vehicles have come to be known as muscle cars. Despite the strains of the Vietnam War and unprecedented social upheaval, every passing year saw further increases in muscle car performance and a steadily growing market for these ever quicker and faster machines. Cars like the Pontiac GTO, Dodge Hemi Charger, Shelby GT500 Mustang, Chevrolet Chevelle SS454, and Oldsmobile 442 were among “the tire-smoking machinery” rolling off assembly lines everyday. If you wanted to hit 150 mph, do 0-to-60 in under 7 seconds and be the envy of your friends, all you needed to do was sign on the dotted line.

Another 1964 arrival was Steve Magnante ’82. As a child growing up during the sixties, Steve arrived too late to participate in the muscle car era. But that didn’t stop him from catching the fever soon after. He says, “In 1974, I was about 10 years old when my mother surprised me and my older brother David ’81 (a practicing Indiana eye surgeon today)

with a selection of Matchbox cars after school.” Though the Matchbox cars were quite small, their brightly painted surfaces and realistic features ignited Steve’s interest in cars of all sizes.

Within a year, Steve had graduated to larger plastic scale model kits that had to be assembled and painted. “I loved how I could mix parts from different model kits to get custom effects.” Around this same time, Steve discovered a stack of forgotten old car magazines in a friend’s garage. “Looking at those faded issues of Hot Rod, Car Craft, Super Stock and Motor Trend, was like being transported back in time.”

Though the magazines were only about ten years old when Steve discovered them in 1977, the nation’s values had changed thanks to an energy crisis, the formation of OPEC, and greater sensitivity to preserving the environment. High powered muscle cars were no longer in fashion as people gravitated toward Honda Civics and VW Rabbits. “I was crushed by the knowledge I had missed the muscle car era and got my very first bittersweet taste of nostalgia.”

By 1978, Steve was ready for middle school and though he started the seventh grade at Quaboag Regional High School in Warren, MA, his parents quickly transferred him to

Bancroft after only a few weeks. Academics at Bancroft didn’t come easy, but Steve had caring teachers to ensure he focused his energy and interest on school. In particular, he has very fond memories of Mrs. Marion Howe and her Wordly Wise vocabulary work books, former Headmaster Wyatt Garfield’s weekly admonition to “Keep your wits about you,” history teacher Mr. Dennis Trocchio’s challenging five-page “source analyses,” Mrs. Maureen Gray’s kindness and patience in English class, and Mr. Charlie Aleksiewicz’ sense of humor for allowing Steve to get plenty of playing time despite the fact that he wasn’t the best soccer or baseball player on the field.

“Steve was a fine young man who everyone saw as a team player both on and off the field,” said Aleksiewicz who coached and taught Magnante at Bancroft and is still working at the School. “He was so determined to do his best in all endeavors from math to sports. Back then, as it still is today, making sure the kids had fun while playing on the fields or courts was most important.”

reduced for environmental preservation. That was unheard of back in the Sixties.”

Living so far from school and being too young to drive forced Steve to have two sets of friends—the weekend friends from West Brookfield and the Bancroft kids from the school week. For Steve it was a challenge to balance the two different peer groups. “On weekends I’d be running around in the fields on snowmobiles with my crazy friends.

But on Monday morning I returned to civilization at Bancroft.” Still, Steve recalls great times with fellow Bancroft class of ’82 pals like David Epstein, Wayne Reiss, Bill Sharpe and Jon Herring. “In particular, Eppy (Epstein) and Fish Man (Herring) and I used to like walking the teacher parking lot to check out the cool cars. English teacher Ms. Elizabeth Tsang had a ’70 Barracuda 3-speed stick, Mr. Fenigsohn drove a 455 powered Buick Century, and one of the office ladies (I forget her name) drove a pale yellow ’68 Corvette. Pretty cool stuff at the time.”

atchbox Cars —and a Banc r o f t Fuel On e Muscl e Car En

Education— thusiast’s Career

Steve happily recalls “talking shop” with math teacher Mr. Kevin Cabana. “We used to respectfully call him Captain Cab, and he drove a pale blue Mustang By 1982, Steve, ready coupe—one of the brand new FOX body Mustangs that for college, was accepted to nearby Clark replaced the ugly Mustang II in 1979. He was the one who University. “I must admit, I found the work load at Clark to first expressed to me how virtually everything occurs in be about the same as what I’d experienced at Bancroft. cycles. From sine waves, to weather, to automotive trends, Handling two to three hours of homework each night at it’s all a series of ups and downs.”

Bancroft gave me the skills to cope with the course load at Mr. Cabana was absolutely correct—as the current Clark,” says Steve. At Clark, he came out of his shell: “I resurgence of factory muscle cars like the 2011 Dodge Hemi wasn’t a shy kid in high school, but I certainly wasn’t the Charger, Chevy Camaro SS, Mustang 5.0 and Corvette most popular kid on campus. I held my own, growing more ZR1 (just to name a few) confidence with age.” prove. Steve says, “Of course, After graduation from Clark this new crop of factory muscle University in 1986, Steve benefits from features like elecdecided to head for Los Angeles tronic fuel injection, cylinder to “act or write for Hot Rod de-activation, overdrive transMagazine. I knew it would be a missions, enhanced aerodydream to contribute to the namics, and other technologies magazine I’d read for most of my that allow them to ‘be irresponyoung life.” But the move would sible…responsibly.’ What else take time. A national recession can you call a car like the new severely limited opportunities for freshly minted BA’s in the late Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T? eighties. Steve kept a steady It delivers almost 400 horseincome by working as a managepower but can give 25 mpg if ment trainee for CVS Pharmacies driven gently. And the dirty and working as a mechanic tailpipe emissions are also much Photos: (Opposite) Steve launches his Wilshire Shaker altered wheelbase '63 Chevy Nova off the line at Lebanon Valley Dragway in NY. (Above) Steve inspects a 426 MAX Wedge engine prior to testing horsepower using a dynamometer that it rests on.

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before leaving for California in At Hot Rod Steve gained access 1991. to top-secret automotive developThe trip out west was a leap of ment facilities where major carfaith. “I was willing to intern and makers develop and perfect work for nothing in exchange for concept vehicles many years prior experience and good contacts in to their sales floor debut. Behind the industry,” says Steve. “I felt the locked gates of the GM Mesa, really strongly that if you could AZ Desert Proving Grounds, make yourself indispensible, do the Chrysler’s Auburn Hills, MI design jobs nobody else wanted—with a center, and Ford’s Dearborn, MI smile—and perform beyond expectest track Steve was able to break tations, you could go anywhere.” the veil of secrecy on numerous His first magazine experience was “future products” as well as many at Chrysler Power Magazine where dead ends that never got past the Steve earned $100 a week. “I had barbed wire fences that surround saved enough money to live for a these compounds. “At GM, I was year, but I also started a weekend shown several engineering develbusiness selling vintage car magaopment mules like a twin-engined 2010 B-J special charity portions of their events helped raise over $7 million. zines at outdoor swap meets in 1985 Chevy Citation X-11, IROCLong Beach, Pomona, and San Diego to the legions of Southern Z Camaros with 4-wheel steering, and various V8, V12 and California car fanatics.” Combined, Steve managed to stay very even V16 engine programs that never reached the show room busy for three years. “I like to say that success attracts success, floor. At the time, these experimental cars were old news. I and I quickly found that as soon as other magazines saw my once asked my guide ‘What are you working on today?’ and name in print, they came knocking to see if I was available for he replied, ‘come back in 10 years.’ It is always a thrill whensome freelance contributions.” So Steve began contributing ever I’m invited to go behind the curtain in Detroit.” technical stories, car features, and interviews to magazines like Steve spent seven years at Hot Rod (1998 – 2005) before Mopar Action, Popular Mechanics and Drag Racing Monthly. leaving to pursue TV host work. “The acting classes and my Meanwhile, Steve was taking acting classes from David knowledge of cars meshed perfectly one day when Hot Rod LeGrant in Studio City, CA; and while he mingled with the publisher Jim Savas explained to us guys on staff that we were likes of Alyson Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tobey about to be the new cast on Hot Rod Magazine TV, which Maguire (Spiderman) and Brittany Murphy (Clueless), his onaired weekly on Speed Channel at the time. While some of screen credits were limited to non-union extra work. “I played the camera-shy staffers reacted in horror, Steve saw it as a ‘gunman number 4’ in the Keenan Ivory Wayans film Dirty great opportunity to merge his two interests. “I always say Low Down Shame, a guy in an unemployment line in the you’ll get farther ahead in any game if you are willing to work Penny Marshall feature film Renaissance Man and a bartender for free. No, the publisher didn’t offer any additional compenin Brian Singer’s first feature film The Usual Suspects. The sation for the TV work, but I didn’t care. Frankly, I’d have parts were non-speaking bits and you’ll need to use the freezepaid to be on the show.” frame on your TV remote to see me in these roles. It was fun Steve quickly carved out a niche by taking the camera but it taught me you can throw a rock in Hollywood and hit crew (and home viewer) into the junk yard and swap meet in an extra. Then that rock will bounce off another extra. But search of salvageable speed parts that could be purchased the acting classes went a long way toward further breaking me cheap for big performance gains. “Ratings showed that viewers out of my shell.” preferred junkyard scrounging missions to the thinly veiled So Steve stuck to what he knew best, automotive journalinfomercials most automotive programming reverts to and ism for car magazines. In 1998, Ro McGonegal, the editor at Hot Rod TV became a hit.” And no, Steve never got paid Hot Rod Magazine read some of Steve’s work in another extra for his TV efforts. But they were instrumental in setting publication and asked to meet with the budding writer. They the stage for what came next. talked about shared experiences on the east coast and their “The producers at Speed Channel (now known as SPEED favorite cars when Ro explained that Hot Rod needed a new TV) saw my work on Hot Rod TV and sought me out in technical editor to develop stories and report on them each March of 2005 to do live commentary from the stage of the month in the magazine. “It was like getting a writing gig on Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Palm Beach, Florida.” the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Hot Rod Magazine has been in The Barrett-Jackson auction series was begun in 1971 and has grown to become the most influential event in the world for continuous monthly circulation since 1948, and I’d been car collectors. Millions of viewers tune in from all over the hired on as a full time staffer. That was the biggest career world to watch as many as 2,500 collector and special interest opportunity I had so far and I wanted to prove myself in the cars and trucks change owners in auctions that last between big league. It was so incredible. I still pinch myself when I three and six days. remember that day.”

“I work with a seasoned team of broadcasters. We have Bob Varsha and Matt Stone (Executive Editor of Motor Trend Magazine) in the control booth while Rick DeBruhl (regular NBC newscaster from Phoenix), Mike Joy (the voice of NASCAR on Fox) and Englishman Justin Bell (“Formula One” race driver), and I describe each vehicle as it crossed the block before the bidding gets started. “For four minutes we give each car a voice and try to bring the home viewer down on stage with our observations about each car and its sale.”

Since these are mainly collectors items, the average sale price tends to be well over the $30,000 mark though Steve stood feet away as a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Supersnake sold for $5.5 million at the 2007 Scottsdale show. “You never know what any particular car will sell for. That’s what makes it so exciting. The amazing thing is that many of the buyers and sellers are from the same baby boom generation that made these muscle cars famous in the first place. The shows also attract celebrities like Jay Leno, Alice Cooper, and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as auto industry leaders like Lee Iacocca and Bob Lutz.

“The auction stage is no place for guess work,” says Steve. “It’s live TV so the SPEED.COM web site will erupt with critics if any one of us flubs the facts. Thanks to Bancroft, I make meticulous notes about things nobody could remember without prompting.”

Steve’s work in Florida led to a multi-year contract to provide live auction commentary at each of the four Barrett-Jackson Collector Car events that are staged each year including, Scottsdale, AZ in January, Palm Beach, FL in April, Orange County, CA in June, and finally to Las Vegas, NV in October for the fourth and final show of each year.

In addition to the quartet of Barrett-Jackson auctions Steve does each year, he’s also hosted several episodes of “Classic Car Restoration” for the DIY Channel, a pilot episode of a show called “Rides Reunited” on the History Channel, and written two books (How To Build Altered Wheelbase Cars and Rusted Muscle—both available online).

All this made for a hectic lifestyle. A few years ago, Steve moved back home to a slower-paced New England life where he met and married his wife Carmen in a civil service (they plan to have a big bash in Sturbridge, MA this summer).

Home is now in a comfortable country-style Victorian with a ten car garage that houses his automotive children. “I had each car packed and transported from L.A. to my new place in

North Brookfield since California cars are completely rust free. These are my babies,” says Steve.

Careful maneuvering is required when you enter Steve’s pristinely-kept auto-nursery. There is an ’81 Ford Fairmont sedan with an altered wheelbase, straight axle, and Kinsler-injected 4.6 liter Mach 1 crate motor in one bay. For those without the vocabulary to fully understand that description, it means zero to 60 in 5 seconds and quarter mile times in the low-twelves. Further down the nursery, he has an unrestored one-owner 1966 Plymouth Barracuda; a ’67 Dodge Dart with a 687 horsepower Hemi (the same H-word Steve used to mischievously scribble on Bancroft desks as a student); a 1954 Plymouth Savoy formerly owned by three nuns and stored since 1978; a white altered wheelbase ’63 Dodge Dart with 426 Max Wedge power; and another altered wheelbase car, the “Wilshire Shaker” ’63 Nova —a Hot Rod Magazine project car. Others in the stable include a two-owner ’84 Mustang GT convertible, a ’76 Dodge half-ton pickup with factory 440 big block power, and a few lesser daily transportation machines.

His counsel to beginning car collectors is to “fill your library before you fill your garage,” meaning do your homework before committing to a major investment. Almost 30 years after departing Bancroft, Steve’s advice to the current student body is “to always remain dependable to your friends and employers and to never burn a bridge. With each career move I departed on good terms, which has a lot to do with me continuing to write for magazines like Hot Rod and doing the Barrett-Jackson broadcasts for SPEED TV. It took a lot to get here, but I’m my own boss living in a beautifully-quiet part of the country.”

In a matter of hours after completing this interview, Magnante took to the highway for a 24hour adventure to Ocala, FL to interview drag racing legend and pioneer Big Daddy Don Garlits for an upcoming feature story in Car Craft Magazine. When he’s done gathering photos and notes, he’ll continue on to the sleepy fishing town of Nokomis for a well-deserved splash in the Atlantic. “Follow your bliss,” he exclaims with confidence, “I did, and love it!”

Interested in reaching Steve? You can do so at hemimagneto@aol.com.

Photos: (Above (l)) Cover of Steve's recently published automotive book; (Above (r)) 1982 Bancroft yearbook page detailing senior, Steve Magnante.

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2011 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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L. Victoria Powers

Lucinda Reed Sanders ’71

Milton P. Higgins ’18 Award for Distinguished Service to Bancroft School

The Esther Forbes (1907) Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement

Retiring from Bancroft this June after 38 years of employment, Vickie Powers began her service to the Bancroft community in 1973 as the school receptionist, where she was a sought-after resource for students, parents and faculty alike. In that role, she supported students and faculty, took care of the calendar and coordinated events for the Headmaster and the ParentFaculty Association. Recognizing her deep commitment to the Bancroft community, in 1994 she was promoted to the role of Bancroft's Special Events Coordinator.

Since then she has facilitated hundreds of division and all-school events and assemblies, concerts and performances, Commencements and closing events, as well as a wide range of activities and projects while serving as the formal staff liaison to the Parent-Faculty Association.

She has also served on a number of internal committees over the years including the Enrollment Management Committee, the Centennial Steering Committee, various NEASC accreditation committees and the Faculty Staff Council.

Over her 38-year career at Bancroft, Vickie has had a hand in supporting just about every aspect of Bancroft life while serving as a confidante, advisor and mentor to several generations of students, and assisting faculty, parents and visitors with a warm smile accompanied by the words “Can I help you?” Indeed, her philosophy that whatever is done at Bancroft large or small reflects on our community as a whole, and therefore should be done with care, has been the hallmark of her service and highlights her deep commitment to and love for our School. In 2003 she was recognized for her commitment to Bancroft by her colleagues and presented with the Isa Bayon Bowl for Mentoring. During the rare time when she was not at Bancroft, Vickie served on the first formal Board of Directors at Abby’s House in Worcester for eight years and as an overnight volunteer staffer for 14 years. She has served as a Deacon and Trustee of the First Congregational Church in Auburn and was the first woman to serve communion in that church. Vickie and her husband, Paul, have two daughters and four grandchildren. Residents of Paxton, they also get away to Dennisport as often as they can and they enjoy traveling together and spending time with family and friends.

Lucinda Reed Sanders is CEO and Partner at OLIN, a 76-person landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm with studios in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

With an emphasis on achieving places of social purpose and ecological sensitivity, Lucinda’s restorative landscapes combine her expertise in urbanism with her interests and talents in social and natural systems, philosophy and art. Her societal and environmental passions are imbued throughout a wide range of projects, including public parks, urban plazas, master plans, and institutional, academic and corporate landscapes. Recent work includes HemisFair Park Master Plan in San Antonio; Presidio Main Parade Grounds and Rincon Park in San Francisco; Mill River Park and Greenway in Stamford, Connecticut; and Comcast Center Plaza and Central Delaware Riverfront Master Plan in Philadelphia.

Elected as a 2010 Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Lucinda and her fellow partners were the 2008 recipients of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Design. She serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Landscape Architecture Foundation, the Advisory Board of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the Editorial Board of Landscape Journal.

Lucinda attended Bancroft from 1958 to 1971 and is a 1975 graduate of Wells College.

She first studied landscape architecture at Rutgers University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Pennsylvania where she is currently an adjunct professor of landscape architecture.

Amol Sharma ’96 The Young Alumni Achievement Award Amol Sharma is an India correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. Based in New Delhi, he writes about Indian business and political economy, with a special focus on fast-growing sectors such as energy, technology, media, aviation, defense and infrastructure.

He also reports on issues related to poverty and economic development.

Amol attended Bancroft for 12 years and graduated in 1996. Though he initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine, he credits his Upper School English teachers for sparking his interest in writing. At Tufts University, Amol studied political science and worked on the student newspaper.

After graduating in 2000, he briefly tried Internet consulting, before pursuing a career in journalism. After serving as a researcher at CNN and a freelance writer he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2002, which he undertook in India. During that time, he filed stories on politics, technology and economic development for the San Francisco Chronicle and the Christian Science Monitor. When he returned to the U.S. in 2003, Amol became a reporter for Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., covering politics and legislative affairs. He joined The Wall Street Journal in 2006, spending several years covering the U.S. telecommunications sector out of New York. Appointed India Correspondent in 2009, he has covered such stories as President Barack Obama’s visit in November 2010, nascent peace talks between India and Pakistan, various trade battles between the U.S. and India, and a recent series of corruption scandals in India’s ruling Congress Party.

In Memoriam

Alumni Alice Goff Deering ’32 January 28, 2011 in Worcester, MA at 98 Mrs. Deering graduated from Bancroft and Becker Junior College and then Simmons College. She worked at Norton Company prior to raising her family and was involved in various volunteer activities throughout her life. She leaves her children and grandchildren.

Bulkeley Smith ’39 June 11, 2010 in Mystic, CT at 89 Mr. Smith attended Bancroft from 19261930. He interrupted his studies at Yale University to volunteer for service in WWII. He returned to school earning his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University. He was Chairman of the Sociology Department at Mt. Holyoke College and retired in 1983. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, children and grandchildren.

Polly Priest Greene ’51 January 8, 2011 in Miami, FL at 78 Mrs. Greene attended Bancroft until 1949 and then graduated from Dana Hall and Garland College. She married, had two children and settled in Chicago where she became involved in that city’s cultural events as well as social services. After a divorce, she married again and had twins. She is survived by her husband William Greene, children and many friends including Sally Gooch Paynter ’51 who wrote a tribute to her friend found on page 17.

Hillary Bath ’72 January 7, 2011 in Worcester, MA at 56 Ms. Bath attended Bancroft from 1963 until she graduated in 1972. She then attended Nasson College in Maine. She worked at Worcester’s State Mutual for many years. She loved to sing, play the guitar and bango, and often accompanied the Street Theatre Program. Hillary is survived by her parents John Bath and Mary (Givan) Bath ’50, siblings, and extended family.

Kimberley Lane Godard ’78 February 27, 2011 in Clinton, MA at 50 Mrs. Godard attended Bancroft from 19721975 before graduating from Dana Hall. She worked for many years at the Fallon Clinic in Worcester, and then the Perkins School in Lancaster, MA. Her husband of 26 years, Robert Godard, died in 2004. She is survived by her family including brothers Corbin Lane ’76, and Prescott Lane ’80.

Douglas Goff ’87 March 14, 2011 in New Orleans, LA at 41 Mr. Goff attended Bancroft from 1980 until graduating in 1987. He then graduated from Emory University and earned his JD from Tulane University Law School. Mr. Goff practiced law in New Orleans for the past 20 years. He leaves his daughter and former wife, and siblings, Michael Goff ’84, and Allison Goff Sharpe ’90.

Extended Community

Elizabeth Forsberg Peterson ’54

Richard P. Traina

December 11, 2010 in Lebanon, NH at 75 Mrs. Peterson graduated from Bancroft in 1954. After marrying she moved to Rhode Island and raised a family. In 1970, Mrs. Peterson worked as a secretary to the Headmaster at Moses Brown School in Providence until she retired in 1983. She and her husband moved to Warren, VT and wintered in Skidaway Island, GA. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, and their children and grandchildren.

March 8, 2011 in Charlton, MA at 73 Mr. Traina, together with his wife Polly, was the 2006 recipient of the Robert W. Stoddard ’23 Award for Outstanding Community Service. Mr. Traina served as the seventh President of Clark University through a period of remarkable growth.

Through his leadership and vision, Clark established an extensive partnership with its Main South neighbors which brought new vitality and opportunity to the area. He was a Trustee or member of the Board at several organizations including the George I. Alden Trust, Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Alliance for Education.

He is survived by his wife Polly, their children and grandchildren.

Judith Hastings Otis ’62 June 21, 2010 in Orleans, MA at 66 Mrs. Otis graduated from Bancroft in 1962 and then from William Smith College in NY and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Together with her husband she served in ministry for the past 23 years at the First Light Church of Cape Cod. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, their children, grandchildren, and siblings, Daphne Hastings Wilcox ’61, William Hastings ’65, and Bradford Hastings ’68.

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Informed.

T HE A NNUAL F UND

After graduating from Bancroft in 2001, Eric Wellman earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Presently the regional host of Morning Edition on WCPN 90.3 FM in Cleveland, Ohio, Eric’s work has been broadcast on the BBC in London, the CBC in Canada, and NPR. Recipient of numerous news and journalism awards, Eric also teaches broadcast programming at Baldwin Wallace College and conducts workshops on media communications. “In my profession as a broadcaster and communicator, I owe so much to the faculty at Bancroft who, across the disciplines, taught me to be a great writer,” he said. “Beyond academics, they helped prepare each student to become an engaged citizen, for college and a lifetime of success.

There is no question that I could not have the career I have now were it not for Bancroft. Giving to the Annual Fund each year is, in part, a way for me to say thank you to my teachers who were uniformly amazing. They not only knew me as a student, but as a person, and stayed in touch long after I had left.”

Join Eric and honor great teaching by participating in the Annual Fund. visit us at: bancroftschool.org/giving

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Freshman Emma K. plays on the J.V. Volleyball team.

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Music teacher Matthew Glenn conducts the Middle School Band at the MS Winter Concert.

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Third grader Abigail S. sews a quilt square as part of her lesson on slavery.

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Middle School students enjoy the sun while walking to Assembly.

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Teacher Lisa Kunhardt with her fifth grade students.

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Senior Ronald R. waves as he enters the recently renovated US hallway.

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Drama teacher Margaret McCandless and music teacher Paul Kelly perform at LS Assembly.

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Science lab guest, cardiologist Dr. Maureen Maher, meets with interested students for a conversational lunch followed by lab lecture on the heart.

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LS student at recess after a heavy snow storm (one of many this 2010-11 season).

110 Shore Drive Worcester, MA 01605-3198

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Photos: The art department hosted its first US travel abroad trip in 16 years. Their nine day art expedition included Paris, Milan, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence, and Rome.