Summer 2012 BA Today

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Summer 2012

In this Issue: Class of 2012 Commencement

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Character Education at BA

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2012 Alumni Weekend

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Creative Direction, Layout, and Design: Tracey Boucher Copy Editors: Janet Miller Kathryn Strand Photography: Shanlee Linney Ginchereau ’87 Marilena Sanborn Tracey Boucher Jenni Franco ‘03 The faculty and staff who carry cameras and capture Berwick moments as they happen.

Printing: MPX Changes of address or other communication regarding this periodical should be directed to: Berwick Academy Alumni and Development Office 31 Academy Street South Berwick, Maine 03908 207-384-2164 ext. 2303 kvarano@berwickacademy.org For parents of alumni: If this issue of Berwick Today is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, kindly notify the Alumni Office with the correct mailing address. Please either email Kellie Varano at kvarano@berwickacademy.org or call 207.384.2164 ext. 2303 to make changes.

Alumni and Development Office: Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement Tracey Boucher, Director of Communications Kellie Varano ‘89, Asst. Director of Development: Database Management Kathryn Strand, Asst. Dir. of Development: Alumni Relations

and Planned Giving Jenni Franco ‘03, Asst. Director of the Annual Fund

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Table of Contents

Berwick Today is published two times per year, once in the winter and once in the summer,

by Berwick Academy. It is mailed to all alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

Welcome from Greg Schneider 2 Class of 2012 Commencement 4 Baccalaureate and Commencement Awards 8 Class of 2012 College Matriculations 11

Feature Articles - Character Education Social Emotional Learning at Berwick Academy

12 Learning to Be Kind 15 That Is Just What Berwick Does 17 Lessons Learned: A Chance at Honor and Integrity 19

Arts Winter and Spring 2012 Update

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Athletics

Winter and Spring 2012 Update 25

Semester Snapshots 32

Alumni News Alumni Weekend: September 21-23 44 Interview with an Alumnus: Jordan Sullivan ‘03 45 Boarding Era Reunion: September 21-23 46 The Civil War Veterans of Berwick Academy and South Berwick, ME 47 Alumni Class Notes 50 In Memoriam 56

Special thanks to the students in Ms. Russell’s AP art class whose artwork appears in various locations throughout this magazine.

“Italy” by Katie Towey ‘12

Board of Trustees 2012-2013 President: Mark Tay Treasurer: Matthew Friel Secretary: Eric Katz ’84 Alex Auty Phil Cavanaugh Lisa Goulemas E.J. Hetz Robert Hoy James Jalbert Jamie James Chad Kageleiry ‘78 Kennett “Skip” Kendall, Jr. James Lawson Holly Malloy Lucas Merrow ’81 Susan Noerdlinger Michael Schafer

Greg Schneider, Head of School Fred Seigel Malcolm E. Smith, III Patrick Spearman Karen Walsh Diane Walker, ex officio Sean Clarke ‘88, ex officio

Trustee Emeriti John Armacost Charles V. Clement, III C. Dennis Fink ‘44 O.P. Jackson, Jr. Joan R. Jarvis Russell W. Jeppesen Kennett “Skip” Kendall, Jr. Michael “Mitch” Ramsey Raymond “Ray” Ramsey

Richard “Hap” Ridgway Mary Z. Schleyer Claire deTarr Smith Owen R. Stevens, D.V.M. ’48 Joan Trimble

Alumni Council 2012-2013 President: Sean Clarke ‘88 Vice President: Mark Svenson ‘95 Secretary/Treasurer: Bill Tarmey ‘63

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Chuck Clement ‘00 Sara Fechner ‘09 Melissa Gagne ‘03 Sharon Fogarty ‘82 Elizabeth Henkel ‘59 Stephanie Kendall Jaggars ‘89 Abigail Lang ‘08 Ginger Mathews ‘94

Rebecca Oliver-Palanca ‘01 Kate Ordway Salvati ‘77 Jonathan Sevigney ‘95 Greg Schneider, Head of School Kathryn Strand, Assistant Director of Development and Annual Giving Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement Honorary Council Member: Richard ”Hap” Ridgway

Berwick Academy 31 Academy Street South Berwick, Maine 03908 www.berwickacademy.org

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Message from Head of School Gregory Schneider back to the modeling of the adults. The reality is that the adults have unparalleled power to corrode the moral culture of a school if they don’t actually do what they claim to do. Kids see through everything, and they notice so much more than we think. Another favorite of mine is the late Rushworth Kidder’s How Good People Make Tough Decisions, which helps us understand the difference between merely solving problems and the more complex challenge of managing moral dilemmas. This text is at the core of the work I do in my ethics class with eighth graders, but it is also a useful roadmap for educators in Woofstock X -ofJune 4, 2010 considering what it means to be a person good character and moral courage.

Dear Berwick Community, Pat Bassett, the Head of the National Association of Independent Schools, often reminds school heads that the data suggests the most treasured aspects of our educational product are the culture and values of our schools. In fact, many parents view this as the most compelling reason to send their child to a private school. While many educators shudder at the thought of wading into the murky waters of values and morality, independent schools have always placed a high premium on character education. In fact, Berwick’s foundational mission stems from “virtue and useful knowledge,” and I believe virtue is all about character education. My trusty Webster dictionary defines virtue as either “a particular moral excellence” or “a commendable quality or trait.” This all sounds exciting, but there are two important questions for us to consider deeply: 1) How can character be taught? and 2) How do we do it at Berwick Academy?

There are literally volumes of books on this topic, but there are two that have grabbed me over the years. The first is The Students are Watching by Ted and Nancy Sizer.

As the title suggests, the book outlines how so much of creating ethics and values within a school culture goes

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When we consider the work we do at Berwick Academy, there are many ways in which we teach character in the classroom. Whether it is science, history, English, or other topics – conversations abound in our academic program about character and morality. We teach significant philosophical texts in our Upper School, as well as a course about the Holocaust and the sixties. We continually press our students at all levels of the program to wrestle with complex moral choices. More explicitly, we now have a social thinking curriculum in grades Kindergarten-six, ethics in grade eight, and a freshman foundations course in grade nine. All of these programs deal directly with decision making and issues of character.

So while it may be true that our most powerful lessons in the realm of character education are in fact taking place outside of the classroom, it is worth knowing how much explicit time is devoted to these issues in the classroom as well.

Outside of the classroom, opportunities to teach and learn about character abound. Club life in the Upper School now includes a heavy emphasis on outreach and service as well as groups like the Gay-Straight Alliance and the Future Business Leaders of America. Mock Trial and Model UN wrestle with ethical issues. The realm of athletics is rife with lessons about sportsmanship, character, and resiliency. The world of the arts builds character through risk taking and teamwork. Any group or program on this campus that requires a tryout like varsity athletics

or Winterfest provides opportunity to explore not just dealing with success but dealing with failure and building resiliency.

One compelling example of character education hangs on the wall of my office in the form of a letter from an opposing athletic director. It was written in response to our Boys Varsity Soccer Team’s decision to forfeit a game a few years ago, based upon an official’s call that our students believed was unfair. While the opposing team did not accept the offer (of which I was unaware), they did respond with this sentiment:

“When you made the decision to concede the game to us, it reinforced that you put the sportsmanship of your program and the camaraderie of the league over your desire to win games, and that should serve as a model to all of us. By your actions, we believe that you have raised the standard of sportsmanship in the Eastern Independent League.”

called to this work. An investment in a Berwick education, in my opinion, transcends the value of any degree that higher education might provide. We are not in the business of credentialing; we are in the business of shaping character and inspiring our students to be leaders of change. Our global future depends on it.

Yours,

Gregory J. Schneider

Head of School

I would argue that the engine behind all of these initiatives that work toward instilling character and values in our graduates has to be relationships. Whenever you attended this school, you had a teacher or teachers that came to know you well and inspired you to stretch. The adults come to know our students in all sorts of arenas, and they help build the moral fiber of young people. Peer relationships also form one’s sense of values, and we have worked hard to create a culture on this Hilltop that values people for who they are in an authentic way.

In coming back to our fundamental mission of virtue and useful knowledge, one could argue that character education is in fact the essential bridge between these parallel goals. While I have spent the bulk of this missive detailing how character education informs values, ethics, and virtue, wouldn’t we also argue that there is no more useful form of knowledge for our graduates today than learning how to be a person of character? More so than any calculus question or ability to recount historical facts, issues of character will directly impact their ability to be successful. While most private school graduates will receive some kind of job opportunity upon graduation from college, it will be those with deep character and resiliency who will be promoted. They will be the ones who can deal with failure and come back with even more resolve. It will be those who have the courage to do things differently who will become the leaders of the next generation.

So in a world that often seems afraid to become embroiled in issues of morals or values, I am here to tell you that we dive into this murky morass every day on the Hilltop. It is the essence of what we do and why we are

“Self Portrait” Ellie Penati ‘12

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Commencement June 9,

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The following is Head of School Greg Schneider’s Commencement speech, delivered at the June 9 Commencement ceremony.

President Tay, members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, and friends, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Berwick Academy’s 221st Commencement exercises, where I have the honor of presenting to you the Class of 2012. Given that the Schneider family happens to be waiting with bated breath as to when girl number three might arrive, it is a particular thrill and relief to be here with you today. I had worried that I might be Skyping in from Portsmouth Hospital or calling upon my Assistant Head of School to don this medal and read my speech.

Rest assured that no one in our audience today is more joyous than Mrs. Briggs. Separate from my own baggage this morning, our graduates will surely be glad to know that, on account of my predicament, I have a particular investment in moving today’s ceremony along swiftly. So while I kindly ask all of you to turn off your cell phones as you savor these profound comments this morning, I will assure you that my iPhone will need to remain on.

More importantly, as I look out at our graduates, this group of 65 individuals, there is an infinite number of moments that comprise their collective story: successes, failures, moments of humor, and examples of resiliency, all of which begin to whirl about my memory as I stand before you on this exquisite Seacoast morning, framed by a fully restored and equally glorious Fogg Memorial building.

Which reminds me – there will be three parts to my comments today.

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After beginning with a summary of the achievements of your class, I have decided to focus on a theme and a symbol. The theme will be the nature of memory itself, which feels appropriate, given our graduates today will remember precious little about what is actually said on this graduation day, wouldn’t we all agree? And the symbol I have chosen to link with your special day will be none other than my favorite animal, the turtle. You could ask my daughters about my turtle obsession. Today this ultimate mystery of irrelevant Mr. Schneider minutiae will be revealed to you in full.

Let me start by offering what I will remember about you as a group. I will remember that you began this year wondering what your identity might be, partially as you worried about measuring up to other classes, but perhaps more importantly because you cared about your legacy. I will remember the staggering impression of your academic achievement in considering your college placement results and plentiful academic awards. You brought forth causes and ideas for us to ponder in critical ways: issues of gender, equality, social justice, service, and compassion strike me as chief among the list. I will remember that one of you came to my office to interview me for an article. Probably like most Heads of School, any interview with a student reporter got my wheels turning about what I had done wrong or what decision was coming under scrutiny. But this person, who I believe is unafraid to speak his mind, chose to end that exchange with his thoughts about how I had done important work to make Berwick better during his time here.

Now granted this was well before I made any of my thrilling changes to cell phone policies in the Upper School this spring. But his candor that day stuck with me, and it will be with me long after this member of the class of 2012 leaves us. It is now a cherished memory of my own.

Athletically, I will remember the incredible dominance of our threepeat golf team and the varsity establishment of field hockey, whose record went beyond my dreams.

I will remember the beginning of a turnaround for our girls varsity programs in general, starting with signs of brilliance in soccer and the continuing excellence in hockey and lacrosse. Our winter season was the best I have experienced in

Commencement Speaker Peter C. Saliba, Outgoing US Director my time here, highlighted by a NEPSAC appearance for Boys Basketball and the Girls Varsity Ice Hockey threepeating as EIL champions. I opened the Boston Globe in March to see four Berwick students named as Globe AllScholastic League MVPs during the winter. In fact we had six of those before the year was over. Spring found us with a Girls Lacrosse program in the A bracket for the first time in recent memory and a baseball team that won our hearts. They thwarted Pingree in the bottom of the seventh in the semi-finals before going on to capture our first NEPSAC title on the diamond in many years. Not to mention putting out a music video that has now officially gone viral.

What will I remember about your class artistically?

I will remember Damn Yankees as the strongest musical production during my five years on account of the acting, vocal performances, and dancing. I will remember the sophistication and maturity of your Shakespearean vision in the fall as well as your dance extravaganza this spring.

I will remember the feeling in my stomach when some

of you called me up to don a red wig and become Ophelia in your one act plays this year; I am still recovering from that one. I will remember a series of concerts this spring that were inspiring in their quality as well as in their cross-divisional purpose.

Your visual artists continued placing Berwick on the national map in terms of competitions, and your imagery was inspiring. As a group, you found a way for your art to become a vehicle of expression of what mattered to you, and in turn, to us. When I consider issues of service, inclusion, and diversity, your group led our community in remarkable ways. Whether it was a compelling speech about Veterans Day, a GSA assembly that explored gender stereotypes, a SWAT group that was committed to strengthening community, what was most obvious to your Head of School was simply that you cared.

This year, for whatever reason, I found myself awash in reading literature about the nature of memory.

The result was a realization of the imperfect links between memory, experience, and truth. In a literal way, your experience at Berwick will be, CAN ultimately only be, what you remember it to be. I am going to urge each of you to consider your own role in shaping and nurturing those memories in the years to come. I begin with a quote from Julian Barnes’ book Nothing to Be Frightened Of. He points out the reality that, when you are adults, you will remember a very different Berwick Academy than the one you think you remember right now. He states: Memory in Childhood – at least as I remember it, is rarely a problem. Not just because of the briefer time span between the event and its evocation, but because of the nature of memories then: they appear to the young brain as exact simulacra, rather than

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processed and coloured-in versions, of what has happened. Adulthood brings approximation, fluidity, and doubt; and we keep the doubt at bay by retelling that familiar story… pretending that the solidity of narrative is a proof of truth. But the child or adolescent rarely doubts the veracity and precision of the bright, lucid chunks of the past it possesses and celebrates.

Let me start by saying that I believe something real is happening to each of you today. While some are clearly going to be more outward about the emotion connected with graduating and saying goodbye to your teachers, your friends, and your school, I think each of you feels something down there somewhere. While I am not here to make it something bigger than it is, I do urge you to consider the “veracity and lucidity” of that emotion. As years pass, this emotion will inevitably become “processed and colouredin” to the point that you may find it hard to believe that this was even that big a deal. Barnes would argue that the clarity of memory you see and feel today will likely be more true than the one you will polish up, or allow to dull, twenty or thirty years from now. I ask you to consider keeping it polished. Take ownership of this memory’s shape as well as its lasting luster.

I first read about memory as a freshman in college, actually. In my interdisciplinary freshman seminar, one of the most impactful titles for me was Speak, Memory

by Vladmir Nabokov. If my first request was to steward

Salutatorian Devon Wood

your individual memories of Berwick, then my second is to help you see the obligation to share your memories with each other over time. With your peers, with your Berwick teachers, with your parents, your siblings, perhaps even your own children someday.

One of Nabokov’s quotes about memory that speaks to this dynamic is beautiful in its metaphoric simplicity:

The spiral is a spiritualized circle.

In the spiral form, the circle, uncoiled, has ceased to be vicious; it has been set free.

As a class, let the spiral of your story-telling, laughter, and shared dreams reinforce the sense of community that you built during your time here. This should happen over the course of the next few weeks, but then over the coming years and decades as well. Do not close off your individual memories into a personal circle of imperviousness.

Rather, welcome the influence of the spiral inherent in story-telling, which will make this experience even more meaningful for you with the passage of time.

And so, while I have to remind myself once again that you likely do go on to remember almost nothing of what I just said, I can only hope that you remember that I tried to say something about the importance of memory. And for those of you who may have simply conked out somewhere after I mentioned the word “iPhone” in my first paragraph, I will begin to draw to a close with a much more straightforward symbol to which you might cling, that of my precious turtle. Mercifully, I will get to its point quickly.

Turtles actually got me into college. My college essay was about being forced to do community service at a Massachusetts Audubon chapter that was in the business of tagging diamondback terrapins on the shores of Cape Cod. While I thought turtles were somewhat endearing in their own plodding sort of way, the essay was about being forced to work with a

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group of people about whom I had many assumptions – nature lovers, hippies perhaps, burnouts – some version of that. I came to realize that, as I stood there on August afternoons, perched on a salt-water marsh canoe jousting with my rather futile net on a quest for feisty underwater turtles, I had an awful lot to learn about myself and about others. So for me, the turtle has always been less about “slow and steady wins the race” but rather a reminder to avoid making assumptions about people.

However, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a head at a neighboring school, had a trustee president who spoke about turtles at a recent graduation. His expression of why turtles actually matter was probably more compelling than mine. I now think of it each time I look at one of my turtle figurines, coffee mugs, or pictures that have been crafted by my daughters. Put simply, the turtle may be the only animal we know of that quite literally has to stick its neck out if it hopes to get anywhere. Perhaps that image will be the most valuable memory I can share with you today.

As my time at your podium truly begins to wane, I fully admit the limitations of your Head of School by returning to Julian Barnes once again as he says: “The advice of the old is like the winter sun: it sheds light but does not warm us.” Yet I can still hope that some glimmer of warmth has made it into each of your souls through our conversation today. If I have not been successful in this regard, I can assure you that your class has been successful in having such an impact on this community. You have also had this impact upon me.

My final nod to Nabokov speaks to you from the entire faculty and staff of Berwick Academy: “I think it is all a matter of love: the more you love a memory, the stronger and stranger it is.” Without question, the Valedictorian Erin Trainor

memory of the Class of 2012 is one that we will love. For my part, I plan to polish and steward this memory with every future meeting, every cherished story, and every shared connection that we may enjoy in the future. My harbored hope in this memory growing over time is that it might begin to mitigate the more immediate feelings of loss and sadness that are intertwined in my trying to say goodbye at this very moment on your graduation stage.

Thank you for all that you have given us, Class of 2012, and I wish you nothing but great memories in the future.

“Green Cranes” Jessica Murray ‘12

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2012 Baccalaureate and Commencement Awards Stalwart Awards

The Stalwart Awards recognize graduates who have attended Berwick Academy since Kindergarten or first grade.

Juliana Blais, Kathryn Davis, Alex Hoyt, Matthew Graichen, Justin Koppstein, Remy Radkay, Kristin Sanborn, Alyssa Tay, Devon Wood.

Departmental Honors and Awards

The Honor Awards are made annually to students who are outstanding in specific fields of academic endeavor.

Applied Music Biology Dance English

Nicole Kleinmann Parker Woolley Kathryn Davis Elizabeth DuChene

French History Latin Math

Lyndsay Brattan Joseph Reid Elizabeth DuChene Benjamin Siegel

Music Physics Spanish Visual Art

Ian McFarland Devon Wood Kathryn Davis Abby Scanlon

Douglas Darrah Hollis Memorial Award: Henry Young

The Douglas Darrah Hollis Memorial Award was established through a gift of $1,000 by this deceased student’s father to honor that senior who is judged by the faculty Director of Dramatics to have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the dramatic arts during his or her career at Berwick Academy.

Head of School Awards: Nicole Kleinmann and Benjamin Siegel

Selected by the Head of School from nominations submitted by the faculty, the Headmaster’s Award is given annually to that member of the senior class who best typifies the ideals and spirit of Berwick Academy.

Class of 1915 Award: Caroline Seekins

The Class of 1915 Award is provided by an anonymous donor who established a fund from which an annual $100 award is to be given. The recipient is to be selected by the Head of School, Chair of the English Department, and Chair of the Mathematics Department. The award is given to “an academically and financially deserving student.”

Jane Andres Poetry Prize: Joseph Borg

This award was established in memory of Jane Andres. Jane Andres was the wife of Charles J. Andres, Chairman of BA’s Art Department from 1965-1981. Poems are submitted to a panel of teachers and judges, who select the recipient of the award.

Parson Thompson Award: Asher Siegel

This award recognizes a male or female senior who has been involved in charitable work or community service beyond the Hilltop.

Marie Donahue Awards: Juliana Blais and Nathan Winters

Named for an alumna of the class of 1937 and later a teacher at BA, the Marie Donahue Award recognizes an outstanding senior for exceptional commitment and contribution to the Academy.

Senior Buddy Program Awards: Autumn Richards and Abby Scanlon

The Big Buddy program partners seniors with Kindergarten students to meet and collaborate on projects, providing an effective connection between our youngest and oldest students.

Hilltop Awards: Shannon Farrell and John Reinhardt

Selected by the Athletic Director and the Head of School with nominations from the coaches, this award recognizes a male and female senior for their athletic ability and achievements on the Hilltop.

Perkins Prize: Erin Trainor

The Perkins Prize was created in the memory of Thomas Allen Perkins and is awarded annually to the junior or senior who is a native and resident of the State of Maine and has attended Berwick Academy for at least two years and attained the highest rank in English and history.

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Bausch & Lomb Award: Lily Hahn

This award is presented annually to a junior who has completed three semesters of science and demonstrated excellence.

Smith College Book Award: Madison Keefe

The Smith College Book Award is presented to an outstanding junior who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College.

Harvard Book Prize: Jane Merrow

This Book Prize is awarded to a junior class member who “displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields.�

Brown University Award: James Davis

This award is presented to a member of the junior class who possesses academic excellence combined with clarity and strength of written and spoken expression.

Blue and White Awards: Blake Downey and Eliza Hazen

The Blue and White Award is presented annually to the underclass members who have contributed most to the Academy as selected by the faculty.

Timothy Kelliher Prize: Bernard Clapp

Mr. Timothy Kelliher of Boston, a graduate of this Academy, bequeathed to Berwick Academy $2,000 to create a fund to honor excellence in the English Department. The prize is awarded to that member of the junior class who receives the highest rank in a special oral and written examination over the previous work in the course.

Dartmouth College Award: Christopher Richards

This award is presented to a junior who ranks in the top 10% of the class, who demonstrates high moral character, and who has made a positive impact on the school community.

Rensselaer Math and Science Award: Benjamin Muthig

The Rensselaer Medal, with a generous scholarship, serves to motivate young men and women toward careers in science, engineering, and technology as it recognizes their superlative academic achievements.

Yale Book Award: Hannah Sattler

The Yale Book Award is presented to a junior with outstanding personal character and intellectual promise.

Dorothy Green Outstanding Teacher Award: Molly McKay

Named for Dorothy Green, the Valedictorian of the Class of 1925 and Berwick teacher for many years, this award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated a great passion in the classroom and an unyielding commitment to the profession of teaching. Faculty members are nominated and chosen by the Administration.

Jimmy Dean Good School Person Award: Gray Cornwell

Named in honor of long-term faculty member Jimmy Dean, this award recognizes a faculty or staff member who lives his or her commitment to the Academy each day. Award candidates are nominated and chosen by the Administration.

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Junior Cum Laude Inductees:

Jonah Goldblatt, Lily Hahn, Maddie Keefe, Jamie Meader, Chris Richards, Hannah Sattler, Caitlyn Winders The Cum Laude Society recognizes students with outstanding academic and personal records.

National Merit Scholarship Candidates:

James Davis, Lily Hahn, George Henkel, and Jamie Meader

Middle School Baccalaureate Honors and Awards William Lambert Cogswell Prize

The William Lambert Cogswell Book Prizes are presented each year to the ranking scholars in the underclass levels.

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Bryce Morales Emma Whall Sam Murphy Ellen Lynch

Middle School Awards

These awards were established to recognize citizenship, contributions to the school and fellow students, and academic excellence.

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Declan Bristol and Kelsey Walker Asa Muthig and Grace Anderson Ben Isaak and Emma Sattler Sam Twombly and Sarah Murray

Middle School Hilltop Awards: Blaine Farrell and Lilly Hedges

Selected by the Athletic Director and the Head of School with nominations from the coaches, this award recognizes a male and female eighth grader for their athletic ability and achievements on the Hilltop.

Grade 8 Baccalaureate, June 6, 2012

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Class of 2012 College Matriculations Connor Ablowich: University of British Columbia Logan Bement: University of Connecticut Juliana Blais: University of Vermont Joe Borg: University of Vermont Lyndsay Brattan: Fairfield University Jaret Canney: Marist College Leigh Chilton: Plymouth State University Michael Clair: Pennsylvania State University Simon Corson: Lake Forest College Katy Davis: Northeastern University Mary DePascale : Wesleyan University TJ Dolan: Emerson College Elizabeth DuChene: University of Virginia Shannon Farrell: Trinity College Corie Fay: Simmons College Stephen Garabedian: Rochester Institute of Technology Matt Graichen: University of Rochester Saul Groman: Quinnipiac University Win Hahn: University of Richmond Craig Holmes: University of New Hampshire Alex Hoyt: St. Joseph’s College of Maine Emily Keech: Pennsylvania State University Michael Keefe: University of Alabama Atik Khan: Bryant University Nicole Kleinmann: Boston College Justin Koppstein: University of Denver Marc-Olivier Lehoux: Concordia University Adnan Malek: Emmanuel College Gabby Martin: Principia College Ian McFarland: Berklee College of Music Grahm McGlinchey: University of Mary Washington Ryan McGuigan: University of Richmond Jessica Murray: Suffolk University Brian O’Day: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Ricky Ollar: Endicott College Ronak Padukone: Northeastern University Ellie Penati: Johns Hopkins University Harry Rafferty: Phillips Exeter Academy Remy Radkay: College of Charleston Hayley Reddington: Marist College Joe Reid: American University John Reinhardt: Denison University Nate Richard: University of Vermont Autumn Richards: Culinary Institute of America Courtney Rickett: Utica College Mitch Rodgers: Arizona State University Nolan Rusk: Muhlenberg College Kristin Sanborn: Stonehill College Nick Saulnier: University of Tampa Abby Scanlon: Pennsylvania State University Taylor Scanlon: Drexel University Caroline Seekins: Hamilton College Asher Siegel: Skidmore College Ben Siegel: Carnegie Mellon University Alicia Springer: Hofstra University Alyssa Tay: Suffolk University Abby Thayer: University of Vermont Katie Towey: Emerson College Erin Trainor: Colby College Tyler Webster: Clemson University Nate Winters: Tufts University Devon Wood: Georgetown University Parker Woolley: College of the Holy Cross Jake Woodward: University of New Hampshire Henry Young: George Washington University

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Social Emotional Learning

at Berwick Academy

by Dr. Marguerite Genest, Lower School Academic Support Coordinator

As the academic year draws to a close, I am intensely gratified by the responses to the implementation of our Social Thinking Curriculum in grades Pre-K through 5. In addition to the Responsive Classroom model adopted a few years ago, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) solidifies our commitment to “Whole Child” development. There is the increasing recognition that, in order to be successful in a world that becomes more globally connected, individuals must exhibit skills beyond academic, athletic, or artistic. Indeed, being able to connect with others in an empathic manner is critical to creative problem solving, conflict resolution, and establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships, either interpersonally or in the workplace.

More recently, there is considerable research which substantiates the significant impact of social emotional learning on academic performance. The development of evidence-based curricula has allowed for the assessment and measurement of this impact and consequently has revealed statistical significance in students who were involved in the direct instruction of such programs.

In response to such research, along with the changing focus of education in the 21st century, social emotional learning has become a critical educational component as students’ interactions become more complex and challenging. Additionally, the

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concern regarding growing reliance on technology that minimizes interpersonal communication is the subject of journal articles, books, and intervention strategies by prominent educators and researchers. In response to this, brain-based educational innovations which focus on critical thinking and creativity in the 21st century, also advocate for the teaching of the art of conversation and more advanced social skills.

In July of 2011, bipartisan legislation supporting student development through Social Emotional Learning was introduced to the 112th Congress, titled “The Academic, Social and Emotional Learning Act of 2011,

HR 2437.” The support of evidencebased social and emotional learning programs taught by regular classroom teachers stems from the belief that such skills form a foundation for young people’s success, not just in school, but as healthy and caring adults, productive workers, and engaged citizens. In 2012, Kansas became the first state to create and adopt a set of social, emotional, and character development standards aligned with their common core standards, college and career readiness, 21st century skills, and federal and state mandates.

The policy, approved by the Kansas Board of Education, is organized around the domains of social, character and personal development. This model provides a detailed framework for achieving measurable goals for students.

Accordingly, Berwick Academy’s philosophy on Social Emotional Learning takes into account the aspects of proposed legislation which are specific to the needs of our population. Our students receive consistent and direct instruction in all aspects of social communication, beginning with basic concepts that are illustrated on posters through the Lower School and Unified Arts buildings and various rooms in the Middle School.

The application of these principles in relevant situations has the ultimate goals of appropriate problem solving, empathic development, and resilience when making personal

choices or experiencing peer pressure.

To that end, we feel that Social Emotional Learning should be defined as the process of developing the ability to perform the following: • Recognize and manage emotions • Develop caring and concern for others • Make responsible decisions • Establish positive relationships • Handle challenging situations effectively

In order to address this process with our students, we focus on three main competencies as we take into account their specific needs: 1 - Self-awareness 2 - Social Awareness 3 - Decision Making Skills

These skills are internalized in age-appropriate ways, with a Social Thinking poster in each classroom and the Unified Arts buildings where lessons are also taught. The 10 principles learned are: • Eye Contact • Noise • Space

• • • • • • •

Body Language Tone of Voice Feedback Turn Taking Staying on Topic Comment Clarification

These are discussed, modeled, role played, and then applied to various situations encountered in and out of the classroom, initially as rule-based.

Children are taught to understand the importance of these rules as they relate to both classroom behaviors and social interactions. With these concepts understood, they are applied to the first competency of self-awareness.

Note that the skills follow a continuum from most basic to more complex, as the learning of appropriate classroom behaviors and following rules, for example, is optimal to the next skill of identifying personal strengths, and so on.

1) Self-Awareness: • Appropriate classroom behaviors/ following rules • Identify personal strengths (what you’re good at/what you enjoy) • Identify emotions • Expressing emotions/feelings

appropriately • Regulating emotions • Impulse control • Assertiveness with decreasing need for adult intervention • Asking for adult intervention when needed • Goal setting Once self-awareness is appropriately achieved, we move on to the second competency of Social Awareness.

2 ) Social Awareness/Interpersonal Skills: • Establishing and maintaining positive relationships • Perspective taking • Respect for self and others • Working cooperatively • Negotiation • Conflict management • Resilience to peer pressure

Note that these concepts, while encompassing rules and strategies, begin to focus more on the abstract concept of empathic development as it relates to age-appropriate initiation and maintenance of relationships.

Teacher and peer modeling, roleplaying, and discussions are important

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ways to rehearse and choose among the best of alternative strategies to strengthen these ideas.

3) Decision Making Skills: • Problem solving • Reflection • Empathy • Responsible behaviors (academic, personal, community) • Critical thinking and judgments when faced with choices

These concepts require more metacognitive and higher order processing in order to be able to self-reflect and respect one’s own principles while respecting the perspectives of others when resolving conflicts or resisting peer pressure.

The automaticity with which one can accomplish this indicates having internalized the first two competencies of self and social awareness and enables the student to demonstrate responsible behaviors as he or she progresses through school. Additionally, the learning environment becomes a safe place for students to explore strengths and goals in order to achieve to their fullest potential, hence improved academic engagement.

by Marilena Sanborn, Lower School physical education teacher. She integrates such concepts as stereotypes, diversity, and friendship skills with basic social pragmatic principles mentioned above. This helps the children to see the importance of respecting various viewpoints and feelings that may be different from their own.

The methods used to deliver this information are age- and situationappropriate. For example, for the younger students, the use of puppets, stories, games, drawings, fantasy play, visuals, and behavior modeling are important.

This was a great first year using a variety of SEL methods, along with the Responsive Classroom approach. Our plan for the upcoming year is to expand SEL to the sixth and seventh grades as part of a revised Wellness curriculum developed by the team members of our support staff.

Cindy Briggs, Sarah Ross, Kimberly Kryder, Holly Bennett, Karen Chiang and I are working to develop the most meaningful curriculum for our Middle School students as they prepare to transition to the Upper School. This is an exciting time at Berwick Academy as we strive to create innovators in an environment that fosters their success on all levels.

Older students benefit from readings and subsequent discussions, role playing, debates, modeling, interviewing, quizzes, and problem solving games that are specific to situations encountered both in and out of school.

Of note is that our Lower School students encounter direct instruction of these skills throughout the school environment in order to understand their relevance and application in all environments: • • • •

Unified arts Recess Lunch Structured situations • Home

and

unstructured

The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, reflecting the lives and profiles of the students for whom it is designed. For example, our Kindergarten and first graders are taught social thinking in the context of health classes facilitated

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The 4th Grade Girls’ Lunch has the goal of bringing together

the girls of both fourth grade classes in order to stay connected and talk about issues pertinent to them. Topics range from the resolution of specific social concerns to sharing excitement and congratulations for accomplishments throughout the year. The overall goal is to foster assertiveness, inclusion, acceptance, and preparedness for their transition to Middle School. It is inspiring to see the girls seek their peers out in order to be sure everyone attends these lunches, as this sets the tone for satisfactory social interaction as they move on to Middle School.

Learning to Be Kind

by Kim Kryder, Middle and Upper School Counselor

“ I s a n yone g oing to s ig n up ?” “ I h op e s o. ” “ D o you t hin k w e m ade it s ou nd f u n e noug h ?” “ I t hin k s o, but tee nag e g ir l s a r e a tou g h c rowd. ”

This was the conversation Middle School teacher Jennifer Hill and I had as we eagerly waited to hear whether we had participants for the first GIRLS (Girls in Real Life Situations) Group.

Our targets were seventh and eighth grade girls who would sign up for our activity period voluntarily instead of choosing such things as juggling, Introduction to Chinese, or glee. We had some tough competition, but in the end, we had 10 girls sign up with nothing more than a description that included “talking about all things Girl and eating food.” Our plan was to meet for 25 minutes during the Monday activity period for the winter trimester and to somehow develop cohesion among a small, self-selected group of adolescent girls.

GIRLS Group came out of the idea that Middle School girls needed a place to talk about what it means to be a teenage girl and a woman. They needed a place where they could develop confidence and strength to rise above catty behavior and see each other as friends instead of enemies.

Our dream was to mold these girls into social leaders in the Middle School.

According to Laura Swayne and her 2008 research on adolescent girls, there is one factor that stands out as the key to helping reduce relational

aggression, and that is social interest.

This includes topics such as empathy, responsibility, cooperation, and communication. If a girl is truly empathetic, she is less likely to be mean out of spite. If a girl is responsible and knows how to cooperate in class, she is less likely to be disruptive. If a girl knows how to truly communicate (not just through texting), she is more likely to address issues with a friend in a direct and productive manner. All of these social interest topics are considered major themes of character education.

Though GIRLS Group is not a character education course, we knew it was a good platform to teach values associated with strong moral character.

The J.C. Watts quote, “Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking,” was really what we were trying to capture. We hoped that these girls would realize that it was easier to be kind than it was to be mean, and as social leaders, this idea would trickle down throughout the school.

The first activity that worked to promote kindness was the use of Boom Boom Cards. These cards have ideas for random acts of kindness specific to teens. “The next time you hear people talking badly about someone, don’t be a part of it,” or “For one day do not call anyone a name, even if it’s

your friend and you are just kidding,” are examples. We let the girls choose which act of kindness they wanted to perform, and the next week they reported back to the group. A couple things were surprising. First, many of the girls actually did some risky acts of kindness, such as writing a note to an acquaintance, telling him or her how he or she is special and putting it in his or her locker. And second, they enjoyed doing it. So we did it the next week too, and soon the girls were doing some things on their own without a card.

Beyond acts of kindness, we also talked about how girls are viewed by the world and how girls view themselves. This was an activity to bring the girls together and realize they are all different, but with many common values. A simple activity of filling in the blanks gave us some great insight.

How would you complete these phrases?

Girls are…

Girls can be…

Girls should be…

I am…

I can be…

I should be…

Do you fall back on stereotypes, or do you find the positive

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words that can also describe a teenage girl? Girls can be mean, but they can also be strong, resilient, caring, and thoughtful.

We then felt as if we were really positioned to start talking about leadership and why female leadership needs attention in our society. At the beginning of 2012, there were only 18 women running Fortune 500 companies. That is a disappointing three percent. The documentary that has been sweeping the nation, Miss Representation, highlights the misconceptions and negative portrayal of women in the media, which ultimately sabotages female leadership and their influence. The point is, if we do not see positive female leaders in our country, whether in politics or business or the media or anywhere, how can we teach our girls what to strive to become? Relating this back to our Berwick girls in the Middle School, girls make up an equal to majority share of the leadership positions. By the time they get to the Upper School, this changes to girls making up the minority in student government. Girls are, of course, leaders in other ways in the Upper School, but very few have reached the top leadership positions by their senior year. We had a great discussion within the group tackling these concerns, and the GIRLS Group is hoping to spon-

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sor a parent/student viewing of the film Miss Representation this fall.

When the winter trimester came to a close, we asked the group whether we should offer this again in the spring. Everyone wanted to sign up again and did. In addition, we had 12 new girls sign up. Jennifer Hill continued with the original group, and I took on the new group. Though it was difficult for me to capture the same group cohesion that we witnessed in the first group, it is clear that there is a desire to have “girl time,� and we will continue to offer this group during activity periods next school year.

As we face the close of this school year, Jennifer Hill and I are very proud because we believe a seed has been planted. The girls have taken ownership of the group and as a result came up with their own mission statement:

Changing the world by promoting confidence, inner beauty, equality, and speaking up - one girl at a time.

Confidence: to do the right thing when faced with difficult situations.

Inner beauty: because it is more important than what people see on the outside.

Equality: having the same chances to be successful as anyone else.

Speaking up: because their voices are important.

This left us wondering what a boys group would develop as a mission statement. There is no doubt in my mind that a boys group would flourish in the Middle School, and building male social leaders who are thoughtful, kind, and of high moral character is just as important as building female social leaders. Our hope is this will emerge sooner rather than later and be led by some of the inspiring male faculty and/or staff at Berwick.

If anything, the GIRLS Group taught me that even a small step in the right direction could have a meaningful effect on a community. Giving these girls a safe place to share their concerns and explore who they are and want to become is really what character education is all about. I am sure that we all could think back and identify one or more adults in our lives that steered us in the right direction and maybe even pushed us to be better individuals. The reality is that character education can be taught in a classroom, but it is learned through witnessing the actions of others.

That Is Just What

Berwick Does

by Laura Noerdlinger Class of 2013

Berwick is my life.

I came to Berwick Academy when I was six years old. I was still young and impressionable and would believe almost anything that I was told, so my parents, wanting to keep me in an environment where positive growth was encouraged, sent me to Berwick. Because of the longevity of my time at the school, only my family has had a greater impact on what sort of person I am. Throughout all three divisions, my school has used positive reinforcement and gentle coaching to steadily aid the development of my own ethics and personal code of conduct. My teachers, fellow students, the Berwick Core Values, the smaller unwritten values of the school, and even the campus have all played a part in making me the person I am today.

According to the handbook, the Lower School aims to foster selfawareness and discovery.

impression on me. On day one, she told us about how, when she was in school herself, her teacher would make a list of the class with the “pet� at the top and the least favorite student at the bottom. The moral of the story was that Mrs. Quinn-Thibodeau would never play favorites. Yet, upon hearing the story, I began wondering: If teachers could wrongly rank people, was it at all possible that the Lower Schoolers, even with all their infinite wisdom, could do the same? It caused me to reevaluate how I saw people and when I judged them. It was the beginning of my formation of my own ethics.

According to the handbook, the Middle School creates connections and collaboration.

Middle School was where I began to decide who I really wanted

to be. As Dr. Zurawel says, the Middle School teaches all their students to advocate for themselves. I made a group of friends, which I still feel lucky to be a part of. I developed as a person. My loyalties were challenged, played with, and pulled apart, and I fought to stay true to myself in the world of Middle School girls, where conformity was believed to be the only way to belong.

In seventh grade, I began taking English class with Ms. Anker. The very first class, she talked about values and judgment. That English class was one of the most influential classes I took throughout my Berwick career and was taught by one of the most amazing women I have ever had the good fortune to meet. Throughout the year, I learned a new respect for myself, my class, and my school that I still carry with me.

2004

I was a passive Lower Schooler. I let other people make decisions, and I simply followed along, trying to stay out of the way of others, and I avoided confrontation at all costs.

At the same time, I was being drawn into the elementary school world of the pre-clique social groups, where whole groups would decide what they thought about an individual. That all changed with the advent of the third grade. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Quinn-Thibodeau, was the first of many teachers who left an indelible

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Eighth grade was the most defining year of my life.

It was when I began to find my own identity and my place in the class. The ethics class I took was first taught by Mr. Schneider and then Mrs. Briggs. In class we were never given a list of what to do or told what we were supposed to believe, but instead we were asked to give responses on what we would do in an ethically challenging situation with no right or wrong answer, and we were assessed solely on the reasons as to why we made each choice. The class was not designed to give me a pre-approved set of morals or to make each student memorize what was right and what was wrong. Instead, like so many classes at Berwick, it taught us how to think, using course material to supplement the learning as opposed to driving it, and it allowed each student to take the most he or she could out of the class. As a class we solidified and prepared, as Mr. Schneider’s once said, “to take the Upper School by storm.”

According to the handbook, the Upper School focuses on independent thinking and self-expression.

The Upper School presented a rather threatening challenge. It was incredibly different from Middle School with higher expectations, more work, a more demanding schedule, and a labyrinth of a building in which to get lost. I was expected to assimilate rapidly to the new way of life. I had to learn that only a combination of balance and hard work will result in success. There was no way around it, and though every teacher was supportive of anything a student attempted, more and more of my time was spent on school work. On the first quiz I ever took in the Upper School, in Mr. Sullivan’s Western Civilization class, I received a solid 65. Although it was only week one of my Berwick

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high school career, it was a wake-up call as to what was expected of me and the amount of work I would have to do in order to deliver. Through hard work and perseverance, I managed to pull my quiz grades into the 90s by the end of the semester (Berwick had not yet transitioned to trimesters). Entering the high school was a shock, but with the support of the teachers and an amazing group of friends, I made it through.

dancing. Even though I dance at a local dance academy and not at Berwick, I still receive support in my dancing from my teachers and peers. Although Berwick has taught me so much already and helped me find who I am, I am sure that it will teach me at least one more thing before I depart to college. The end will be bittersweet, the excitement of moving on to the next adventure tempered by leaving behind one of the places dearest to my heart.

Berwick Academy produces good people: that is just what it does.

Not everyone can be a straight “A” student or a three-season varsity athlete or the life of every party, yet Berwick tries to teach everyone to be a good person, a nice person, and a person who works hard. We are a tight community that greatly cares about each and every individual. I have seen many examples of this throughout my years at Berwick, and I can only hope that when I leave, I can find another community as caring and wonderful as Berwick Academy.

I only have one more year at the Academy, but I plan to make the most of it. I am pushing myself academically, running on the cross-country team, making costumes for the Upper School musical (next year Les Miserables) while still doing what I love:

Self Portrait “Uncovering” Shannon Farrell ‘12

Lessons Learned:

A Chance at Honor and Integrity

by Chris Richards Class of 2013

Two weeks ago, I was hanging out with my friends in Portsmouth and had agreed with my mom to be home by 11 even though she and my step-dad were going to be out much later. A few hours passed; it was midnight, and I had not begun the drive home. I had a few options available to me, the most obvious being to beat them home and act as if I had been there since 11:00.

Instead, I called my mom and told her I was going home as soon as I could.

They appreciated my telling them but still punished me accordingly. We all understand what it feels like to make a mistake, big or small, but what distinguishes us as individuals is the ability to own that mistake and to make it right. One of the invaluable lessons you learn as you get older is that fairness and justice are not a guarantee in this world, but honesty certainly sets you on the right path.

My story at Berwick Academy began in the fall of 2009. Being on the Boys Varsity Soccer Team, I learned there was a sense of responsibility that came with being a varsity student-athlete. Like many of you, I had seniors whom I looked up to as the

ones I felt best demonstrated a sense of honor and leadership.

Before the season began, an alumni and then captain Ethan Hawes ‘10 laid out the groundwork for our year. There would be no major disciplinary issues, we would arrive on time to classes with shirts tucked in, and every day we would do our best to uphold the standards of our school.

In a game against Governor’s Academy, there was a controversial play in which one of their players shot the ball into the side of the net, but the referee initially said it was a goal. We all looked to Ethan for what to do. Without uttering a single word of protest, he jogged with his head held high to the center of the field where most of us stood and told us that we were just going to have to work that much harder to get it back. That referee made a mistake, but instead of berating him for his fault, we did the best we could to put ourselves in his situation and to respond with poise and class. Luckily for us, the referee realized his mistake

and the goal didn’t count; what did count though was my first real lesson in integrity and honor from a Berwick Academy student.

I will never forget what Ethan did for us as the younger students on the team, and there is nothing I would rather see more of in this community than that same kind of dignified leadership. In the hallways, with friends, and even off campus, we must be prepared to hold ourselves to higher standards of integrity and honor even when we know no one is watching. It is the responsibility of the students not only to uphold their character, but also the reputation of their family, their classmates, and the entirety of Berwick Academy. In a community as close as ours, everyone has a commitment to integrity because, whether we recognize it or not, we are on one team and all in this together.

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Arts Update Winter and Spring 2012

Visual and Performing Arts with contributions from Ben Baldwin, Maria Isaak, Stephanie Sanders, Sally Wituszynski, Raegan Russell, Sasha Malone.

of these performing arts students, their parents, and their music teachers. Thank you, and congratulations to one and all.

Festivals off the Hilltop

Winterfest 2012

Twenty-three students representing all three divisions at Berwick Academy graced the stage on Friday, January 20, making their own Berwick history.

Performing as soloists, in duets, or in ensembles, students from grades one to twelve danced, sang, or played an instrument, sharing their passion for the performing arts. The evening performance was the culmination of many months of practice, anticipation, and excitement for the student performers. The theater was filled with a responsive audience of families, friends, and students, acknowledging each performer with exuberant applause.

Through their performances, our performing artists evoked many emotions, illustrating the human experience.

We greatly appreciate the time and commitment demonstrated by each

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nors, Olivia Berger, and Matthew Butcher sang in the 200 voice mixed chorus; Nathan Anderson and Chloe Schmir played saxophone and oboe, respectively, in the concert band; Noah Landis played piano in the jazz band; and Clayton Jacques, Hersh Bhargava, Hirsh Agarwal, Sarah Yanofsky, and Brennan Santaniello played violin and ‘cello in the orchestra.

Noah Landis represented Berwick Academy in the Maine Jazz Allstate Festival, January 5-7, 2012. He performed as the pianist for the jazz choir and was one of four high school jazz piano students in the state chosen by audition to participate in the festival.

The Allstate ensembles were directed by professors, professional musicians, and composers from around the country. The final concert was recorded and videotaped for MPBN public radio and television and aired in March.

O r c h e s t r a /C h a m b e r on the Road

On January 27-28, 2012, thirteen Upper School musicians participated in the Maine District One Honors Music Festival at Noble High School. All students were chosen by competitive audition as the most accomplished student musicians in southern Maine high schools. Rebecca Ruben and Stephanie Storey sang in the 100 voice treble choir; Cat Con-

Across the River

The Upper School Winter Trimester Chamber Music Class performed off campus at Berwick Estates and at The Wentworth Home in Dover on March 6. The fifth and sixth grade orchestra students attended the Portland Symphony’s Youth Concert on May 7. The Upper School Spring Trimester Chamber Music Class traveled to the United Methodist Church in Rochester, NH, on May 15 for a special demonstration of the pipe organ by student Clayton Jacques and his teacher, Kevin Lindsay.

During the winter months, the Jackson Library Gallery was warmed by an exhibition which brought together local artists from the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford, NH, with the Berwick Academy community. Titled “Across the River” as a subtle nod to the proximity and watery divide, the show

Silent Flight Art Contest

highlighted local artwork and invited a dialogue between students and our local community off the Hilltop. Artists Taintor Davis Child, Shaune McCarthy, Tinka Pritchett, David Random, and Michael Penny exhibited paintings, sculptures, fiber arts, assemblage rocket ships, and large scale digital photographs respectively. A reception for the artists gave students a chance to meet and talk with them. Artist Tinka Pritchett came back to teach a workshop on felting techniques to Upper School students in Ms. Russell’s studio art honors class. The exchange between students and artists that has resulted from this show has been exciting and promises to lay the groundwork for similar exhibitions and visiting artist events in the future.

Scholastic Art Competition

Fourteen Upper School students and one grade eight artist submitted 22 works to the Annual Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Four students received regional recognition. There was not a regional affiliate to sponsor Maine’s artists this year; therefore, the work of Maine’s students was not only judged with students from the New England states but also with students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Berwick’s 2012 Scholastic Award Winners include the following: Indigo Milne ‘16 Silver Key Award in Design, Ellie Penati ‘12 Honorable Mention in Mixed Media, Kristin Sanborn ‘12 two Honorable Mentions for Photography, Autumn Richards ‘12 Silver Key Award in Sculpture.

• The Silver Key indicates high honors on the regional level and places students in the top 15% of their region.

• Honorable Mention distinction shows tremendous creative promise and places students in the top 20% of their region.

“Since 1923, The Awards have recognized some of America’s most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including: Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Kay Walking Stick, Philip Pearlstein, and John Baldessari.

We’re proud to count all Award recipients among them and among the next generation of artists and writers!” This excerpt from the recognition newsletter describes the significance of this competition and the process.

The award-winning work from BA was on exhibit in the Arts Center Lobby/Gallery and posted on the portal for all to see!

Thirty-six students from all three divisions worked in art workshops after school or independently at home to create art with images of “Silent Flight.” These colorful images included hot air balloons, hang gliders, gliders, parachutes, and sky diving. Three of Berwick’s students have received certificates and letters of recognition from the National Association of State Aviation Officials in Washington DC. Camille Gaudet ‘21 earned Third Place in the Junior Division, Sophia Estes ‘20 earned Second Place in the Junior Division, and Chloe Schmir ‘14 received a First Place Award in the Senior Division.

Their paintings and drawings were on exhibit in the Jackson Library Gallery until early January. Students, families, and faculty attended a reception in the gallery honoring this group of young artists.

Youth Art Month 2012 at the Portland Museum of Art

March is Youth Art Month. Deloris White, Teaya Fitzgerald, and Raegan Russell selected the work of Samuel Hanson ‘21, Alexis Seta ‘18, and Juliana Blais ‘12 to represent Berwick Academy at this annual art exhibit sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association and the Portland Museum of Art. The exhibit opened at the Portland Museum of Art on Tuesday, February 28, and was on display through Sunday, April 1, 2012. A reception for the artists and an awards ceremony took place on Saturday, March 10.

Performance Opportunities

Lower School students in grades K-4 had two opportunities to perform in the Friday assembly ‘music shares.’ This year, Lower School students also per-

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formed at school events including the Winter Solstice Concert, MLK Day Assembly, Lower School Production, the Spring Recital Series, Earth Day, Grandparents Day, and the Spring Concert. Fourth grade students presented their annual 13 Colonies Musical and the Fourth Grade Talent Show.

Third grade violin class performed in the Lower School Recognition Day Assembly. Choruses in Grades 5-8 performed this year in the opening to Alumni Weekend, Winter Concert, MLK Day, Earth Day, Grandparents Day, and Spring Concert III. Many of these same students also participated in the dance concerts, Winterfest, and the recital series.

Spring Concert Series

This spring, the Berwick Academy Music Department took a bold step and changed the configuration of our spring concerts. Instead of grouping ensembles by grade level as we have done in the past, we grouped them by genre. This resulted in three concerts with very separate identities.

Band/African Owned the Night, Spring Concert I

The African ensembles and bands combined on May 15 for the first installment of the new format for the Spring Concert Series. This format allowed the groups more flexibility in the music

and delivery of the performance. The 5/6 band started the concert with an exploration of program music. A special introduction to the 7/8 band piece “Paper Cut” was presented via Skype by composer-in-residence, Alex Shapiro.

The Upper School symphonic band performed a selection of light concert music, including the world premiere of the concert band piece “Foreclosure” composed and conducted by freshman band student Nathan Anderson. The Middle School and Upper School jazz bands rounded out the first portion of the concert with popular jazz charts.

The African ensembles added diversity to the concerts with music from Ghana and Zimbabwe. In addition to the traditional drumming, the Upper School ensemble performed a marimba tune, and the 5/6 ensemble shared a clapping game and mbira song. The final piece on the concert featured faculty dancers in “Agbeko,” a traditional warrior dance from Ghana.

Strings, Strings and Even More Strings

The all-string evening was presented on Tuesday, May 22. It was a chance for the third and fourth graders in Mini Strings, and their parents, to see how far they could go musically – and a great time of reflection for the older students to look back and see where they might have started. The evening culminated in an all-school orchestra performance of the old time American fiddle tune, “Cripple Creek.” Chip

Harding and Sally Wituszynski enjoyed planning two particular sets with some crossover between our groups.

Emily Barbour and Emma Whall performed on the electric violin with the Middle School guitar ensembles.

Spring Concert III— The Choral Experience

For the final concert, the Patricia Baldwin Whipple stage was graced with the voices of 110 singers from all three divisions. Seth Hurd and Maria Isaak put together a program that certainly reflected each of Berwick’s core values but also presented Berwick as one school, three divisions. Choral students in grades 2 through 12, singing together in concert, differentiates Berwick from other schools. It is magical to hear the young voices and more mature voices complement each other so beautifully. At the concert, the audience heard a wide variety of musical genres, from classical to contemporary, jazz to musical theater. The evening concluded with collaborative works sung by all three divisions and accompanied by Noah Landis ‘14 and faculty orchestral musicians.

AP Art Exhibit

AP Studio Art students had a stunning group exhibit of their portfolio art work in the Jackson Library from April 13 - May 9. Nine artists, Juliana Blais, Shannon Farrell, Nicole Kleinmann, Jessica Murray, Ellie Penati, Autumn Richards, Kristin Sanborn, Abby Scanlon, and Katie Towey, included drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture that showed the breadth and depth of their study of art.

Blue and White Exhibit

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Lower, Middle, and Upper School artists created individual and collaborative work depicting the “Blue and

White” theme for the final exhibit in the Jackson Library Gallery. This exhibit depicted animals above, on, around, in, and on the Berwick Bog created by Kindergarten artists. Berwick’s Gardens was the culmination of numerous first grade art projects in the curriculum inspired by Matisse and Audubon. The students created blue and white gardens in oil pastel, markers, crayons, collage, and mixed media. The emphasis in grade two art was on creating landscapes and cityscapes.

Therefore, their collaborative project was to create “Berwick’s Buildings and Landscapes.” These detailed drawings illustrate their understanding of beginning perspective.

The Student Craft Institute

This May, juniors Amy Rawn and Benn Clapp were selected to attend the Student Craft Institute at Haystack Mountain School of Craft in beautiful Deer Isle, ME. SCI is an opportunity for students to study art with professional artists in an intensive studio workshop setting at the renowned Haystack School and facility. Seventy students, some from rural and isolated areas of Maine, come together and find that they are a community of young artists who share common interests in art and the experience of supporting each other in the studio. Student artists spend three days learning new processes and techniques in art forms as varied as fiber arts, clay, photography, printmaking and blacksmithing. It is amazing what they accomplish in three days of working in the studio! This year, Amy Rawn was a student in the wood workshop, where she studied with Matt Hutton of Portland, ME, and Amy made an entire table with a hidden compartment in this workshop. Fun fact is that Amy’s teaching assistant in the wood workshop was BA alumni Jud Macintosh

‘03, who is a furniture maker and technical assistant at the Maine College of Art! Benn Clapp was a student in the pinhole photography workshop, where he studied with Anne Claude Cotty of Stonington, ME, and made several pinhole cameras and photographs from this technique.

OAKE Choir

National

Berwick Academy students Sophia Estes ‘20, Bryan Marden ‘18, Chani Parrott ‘20, and Kelsey Walker ‘19, were named participants in this year’s Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE) National Conference Choirs.

Bryan participated in the Youth Choir (Grades 6-8) under guest conductor Georg Stangelberger. As a child, Mr. Stangelberger spent 13 years as a member of the Vienna Boys Choir. Chani, Sophia, and Kelsey sang in the Children’s Choir (Grades 4-5) under guest conductor Fred Meads.

Fred Meads is the artistic director of the American Boychoir School. More than 150 students participated in this event from throughout the United States.

As spring break commenced on Berwick’s campus, music teacher Maria Isaak, her students, and their

families, traveled to Phoenix, AZ, to rehearse with the other National Choir students. On Saturday evening, March 17, after three days of rehearsing, the students performed in a concert featuring all three choruses (Children’s 4-5, Youth 6-8, and Concert 9-12) at Symphony Hall in Phoenix.

Students in grades 4-12 who are members of their school chorus are eligible to audition for OAKE National Choirs with teacher permission. In the fall, Mrs. Isaak prepared students to audition for this prestigious event.

About one third of applicants are selected to perform each year. Participating in an honors ensemble like the OAKE National Conference Choir gives students an increased confidence and ability to give back to their local school programs through their experience.

Sophia Estes, grade four, stated that “Going to OAKE National Choir was a great experience! It was fun meeting and singing with kids my own age, who came from all over the country. Mr. Meads was strict but made it fun, and I learned a lot about singing in a choir.”

Carole, Sophia’s mother add-

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ed, “It’s wonderful that the teachers at Berwick prepare our kids for such incredible experiences as OAKE National Choir. It was amazing to watch Mr. Meads take a group of 130 kids from 20 states and turn out such a polished and professional performance.”

Portland Symphony Orchestra

During the spring trimester, first, second, and third graders studied orchestra instrument families. On May 7, we attended a Portland Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert to see for ourselves how they all fit together into a collective sound and art form. The concert featured a trombone concerto, an organ concerto, and Vivaldi’s “Spring” among other works. The program was titled “The Art of Listening,” and facets of the program included student work in dance, visual art, and poetry. Grade three artist Henry Clark had his artwork projected above the orchestra. He created this art piece along with his class during an art lesson given by Deloris White, in which the children reflected on the music they were hearing. Back at BA, the students reflected on their experiences and sent their commentary back to the orchestra.

Dance

The year in dance at Berwick Academy was lush with innovation, discipline, and artistic development. Upon reflecting on the powerful performance season, it seems especially appropriate that this year’s theme in the Movement Arts Center was “Dimensions Explorations in Time, Space, Energy, and Motion.” As the space in the Athletic Center flourished into a strong, sophisticated venue, so did the participants in the cross-divisional dance program. We often discuss the value and importance in “finding your place in space,” and it is clear that this quest was of great significance to this year’s BA dance artists.

Earlier in the year, Berwick

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students were challenged to see and understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning. How can organized motion evoke reflections on time and energy? Supported by the Academy’s Linney Fund, the Cambridge dance ensemble Spunk and Company offered a performance/ workshop opportunity to the Middle and Upper School students, seeking to explore potential answers to that question. Spunk and Company exists to make grounded and experimental art while pushing the artistic boundaries of dance. Proceeding with collaboration that is organic, fearless, and vulnerable, the company is composed of six dancer/ choreographers who lend not only their technical skill, but also their creative input and energy to every dance. Rooted in work that is at once humorous and dramatic, accessible yet contemplative, the choreography attempts to both delight and puzzle its viewer. A blend of traditional and contemporary dance techniques, the vocabulary of Spunk and Company is athletic, theatrical, and provocative. Often magnifying social issues and human relationships, the 501c3 non-profit company works beyond pure formalist intention to achieve the art of contemporary storytelling. While the performances and workshops held by the company challenged many of our students to reconsider the parameters of dance, they also solidified the athletic skill and creative capacity integral to the world of performing arts.

Berwick dancers continued to apply creative thinking skills in dance throughout the year. Students delved into a multitude of experiences, includ-

ing community- based performances, workshops for patients at Maine Medical Center, student production and marketing of the spring dance concert, Innovation Center projects, and even a year-end flash mob at Fox Run Mall.

A particular moment of pride occurred late winter, when five dance pieces were chosen to present at the school’s apex of performing arts events, Winterfest. Dancers from first, fourth, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades all contributed a wonderful array of performances, with dance gracing the stage with more presence than ever before.

It is clear that the dance com-

munity grows stronger every year with no slowing down in sight.The summer is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our experiences on the Hilltop, but for several of our dancers, they will continue on with their drive and diligence, attending master workshops throughout New England and New York. Stay tuned for an incredible upcoming year!

Athletics Update Winter and Spring 2012

GIRLS ICE HOCKEY THREE-PEAT (Excerpts from Coach McNulty’s speech at the Sports Awards Banquet) This season was by far the best in Berwick girls’ history, winning the EIL for the third year in a row. Thank you to everyone who came to our games, home and away, especially that last game against Pingree. I think I aged three years during that game. We had unbelievable games against Kents Hill, Hebron, and Kimball Union -- all good teams with players much older than our group of kids. We ended the season ranked eighth in New England in Division 2 and just missing being invited to the New England tournament by a couple of percentage points .

The closeness of this year’s team is the big reason for our success. We had a great group of Upper School leaders, who were extremely helpful in making the new and younger players feel welcome to the team. All the players got along, they pulled and cheered for each other, they teased and had fun, and they worked hard in practice without knowing it. I have a simple philosophy when it comes to coach-

ing --make it fun, keep it simple, work constantly on fundamentals, and the rest will take care of itself.

Everyone on this team belonged, and each player had a role.

This year’s Middle School players consisted of two seventh graders, Julia Caple and Anna Cosentino, and two eighth graders, Emma Hambright and Christina Grassie. All were great teammates and hard workers, and all were big contributors to this year’s team.

Our four freshman players were huge contributors to our success and were responsible for the winning overtime goal against Pingree. They were Aimee Briand, Izzy Eldridge, Tatiana Bradley, and Tilly Burzynski. I had been waiting patiently for three years for a couple of them to get to high school, and they arrived with a vengeance. They were bigger and stronger, and they made an impact. Next year the four of them will be even better, and I can’t wait.

We had three sophomore players: Gabby Wiggin, Kaitlyn Wurzer, and Gabby Boualavanh. Two of the three I’ve coached for two years, and it was very exciting to see how well their

games improved. The other was a great surprise joining us this season and being a big contributor when she played defense for us against Tilton.

Our junior player is our Assistant Captain Anna Wright. Anna is feared among everyone we play, thanks to her unbelievably hard slap shot. In our game against Portsmouth Abbey, I think their goaltender to this day doesn’t realize that Anna scored a goal. It went over her shoulder so fast that she never even moved. Anna also recorded her 100th point this year, which is a remarkable feat for a defenseman.

Senior Courtney Rickett came to us this year from the Portland area to play goal, something we all appreciate.

She worked very hard in practice, and it showed in our games.

Senior Shannon Farrell has been with us for three years, and from the very start, I knew we had something special. She worked extremely hard in practice and even harder in games.

She was one of our co-captains; she was a leader on and off the ice. She was funny, friendly, intense, competitive, fierce, and loyal. She recently surpassed the 100-point plateau in just under three full seasons.

Leigh “Bulldog” Chilton, our other senior co-captain, has been here four years and has played defense with

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a passion for all of those years. She was so tenacious in a game three years ago against NYA that I started calling her Bulldog. At first I wasn’t sure if she would object to the name, but I found out that she got mad at me for calling her by her real name.

Finally, I want to thank all the parents and my coaching staff, Ray, Gray, and Meghan, for their support.

EIL MVP: Shannon Farrell ‘12 Team MVP: Shannon Farrell ‘12 Coach’s Award: Kaitlyn Wurzer ‘14 EIL All-League: Shannon Farrell ‘12, Anna Wright ‘13, Kaitlyn Wurzer ‘14, Gabby Wiggin ‘14 EIL Honorable Mention: Courtney Rickett ‘12, Leigh Chilton ‘12

WINTER Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Brian Sanborn Assistant Coach Tammy Myers The Berwick Varsity Girls Basketball Team finished the regular season tied for second in the EIL, our most successful season in recent memory.

Sophomore Rebecca Siegel scored 144 points this season (third highest on our team). She also was second on our team in steals and led our group in assists, free throws attempted, and free throws made. Sophomore Torieana St. Pierre scored 161 points, which was second highest on our team. She led the team in steals and was tied for second in assists. Senior Emily Keech has been a three-year player on our varsity team, and our group voted her as our “Towel” award recipient this season as the member of the team least likely to throw in the towel during tough times. Senior Kristin Sanborn has been a four-year varsity player and a two-

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year tri-captain. She had a great season despite playing through the pain of a broken toe for much of the season.

She made 28 three-point baskets this season while shooting 39% from outside the arc.

Senior Nicole Kleinmann has been a four-year varsity player and a two year tri-captain of our team. Nicole scored 128 points this season and 486 in her Berwick career.

During her time in the Upper School, Nicole has graced our stage as an accomplished musician and has been a standout on the cross-country, basketball, and tennis teams. Finally, there is senior Juliana Blais who has been a four-year varsity player and two year tri-captain on this team. Juliana scored 225 points this season and 742 in her career at BA, the third highest total for a girls basketball player at the Academy. Juliana has represented Berwick at two consecutive NEPSAC all-star games, was a member of the EIL allleague team last season, and has been selected as our team MVP for a third consecutive season this year. For all of these accomplishments, Juliana was voted as the MVP of the EIL for this season, the first ever Berwick girl to have that honor for basketball.

EIL MVP: Juliana Blais ‘12 Team MVP: Juliana Blais ‘12 Coach’s Award: Nicole Kleinmann ‘12 EIL All-League Honorable Mention: Rebecca Siegel ‘14 EIL All-League Team: Torieana St. Pierre ’14,

Kristin Sanborn ‘12

Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Rory Early Assistant Coach Mike D’Agostino The 2011-2012 Varsity Basketball was led by Captains Logan Bement ‘12 and Harry Rafferty ‘12. Seniors included Ben Siegel, Joe Reid, Win Hahn, Logan Bement, Harry Rafferty, Connor Ablowich, Saul Groman, and Corie Fay, the manager. Win and Corey were new to the team this year, as were Assistant Coach Mike Dagostino, Tom Nason ‘13 and Jonah Goldblatt ‘13.

Rounding out the roster were Stephen Sherbahn ‘14, Conor McFarland ‘13, and Blake Downey ‘13.

This year’s team record was 14-12, 10-7 in the EIL. The regular season record was 14-9, 10-5 in the EIL. This was our second year finishing in the A bracket as #3 seed, due to our loss to #2 Pingree 38-51 and #4 Bancroft 45-61. The was also our second year qualifying for NEPSAC Class C as a #6 seed. We lost to Providence Country Day School in the first round 58-71.

Harry Rafferty repeated as EIL MVP first team All NEPSAC Class C. On January 11 vs. Landmark, Harry became the all-time leading scorer in BA’s history,

ending with 1,705 points. Harry went on to score 47 more points vs. Hebron on February 8.

EIL MVP: Harry Rafferty ‘12 EIL All-League: Saul Groman ‘12, Tom Nason ‘13 EIL Honorable Mention: Stephen Sherbahn ‘14 NEPSAC Class C Honorable Mention: Logan Bement ‘12 Team MVP: Harry Rafferty ‘12 Coach’s Award: Saul Groman ‘12

Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Coach Andy Lathrop Assistant Coaches Chris Grassie, Patrick Connolly, and Todd Spencer The way the team persevered this year was truly remarkable. This was a year that saw seven concussions! Injury and illness plagued us all year, but that didn’t stop this group. Our late season run at a playoff bid started when we traveled to Hebron, missing four defensemen and our starting goalie, and came out with a win. We went on to a comeback tie against Dexter and a blow-out win at Pingree. Then came the final weekend. We had been in playoff mode for several weeks, so we knew we would play well. But to go to Governors and beat them (first time in a long time) and in the fashion we did, was unreal.

Having to travel to Cushing the next day was going to be difficult, but this group once again dug deep and gave Cushing all they wanted. Although missing out on the tournament by the margin that we did was really disappointing, we need to celebrate the way we came together as a team.

There is a quote posted in the locker room: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

We were truly successful this year, and although this isn’t much consolation to our departing seniors, our future looks very bright!

MVP: Liam Darcy ‘15 Coach’s Award: Jon Malloy ’13

Varsity Skiing Coach Scott Masi Assistant Coach Brian Sweeney We had a great start to our season with 10 athletes attending our Christmas Camp at Sugarloaf, sporting stylish new jackets. For our training, we increased the rigor of our dryland program, mixing plyometrics in with strength and endurance training.

In our five regular season races, Junior Nate Potter had first-, second-, and thirdplace finishes while freshman Emma Walsh had two third-place and one fourthplace finish. We went on to NEPSACs at Berkshire East ski area in Charlemont, MA, and skied well, placing individual performers in the top 15. Overall, it was a strong season for our ski team, improving in each race and watching our team develop their ability. We look forward to next season’s leadership of Nate Potter’13 and Alex Grammenos’13.

MVP (Female): Emma Walsh ‘15 MVP (Male): Nate Potter ‘13 Coach’s Award (Female): Abby Donoghue ‘15 Coach’s Award (Male): Benson Tuthill ‘14 All New England: Nate Potter ‘13

Varsity Swimming Coach Jennifer Priester Assistant Coach Charlene Hoyt The Berwick Academy Swim Team continues to grow and shine. The swim team was lead this year by Senior Captain Caroline Seekins and Junior Captain James Davis. We didn’t have a winning record, but we had some major achievements.

Our women’s team tied the Junior Varsity Phillips Exeter swim team. Although this may not seem like a big deal, when you have half the number of athletes as the other team and they announce a tied score and the opposing coach looks at you and says, “Wow!”, it feels pretty special. Our women’s team also moved up from fifth place in the EIL Championships to fourth place. The men’s team remained at fourth place, which is itself pretty exciting, considering the teams that beat them had 16, 14, and 13 swimmers compared to our six.

Our men’s team scored 4.5 more points per person than any of those teams. Can you imagine what the men’s team could do if more athletes came out for the Varsity Swim Team? Our women’s team placed third at the New England Prep School Division 3 Championships, and our men’s team placed sixth.

The team had 10 first-place finishes, set six EIL records, and had six EIL All-League athletes.

We also had five New England Prep School Division 3

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Individual or Relay champions: Senior Caroline Seekins – 100 Breast, 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay; Junior Kelsey Hayden – 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay; Junior William Reis – 50 Freestyle; Sophomore Jenna Hayden – 100 Freestyle, 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay.

EIL MVP (Female): Izzy Reis ‘15 MVP (Female): Izzy Reis ‘15 MVP (Male): Will Reis ‘13 EIL All-League: Caroline Seekins ‘12, Kelsey Hayden ‘13, Will Reis ‘13, Jenna Hayden ‘14, Izzy Reis ‘15, Gage Anderson ‘16 Coach’s Award (Female): Olivia Richter ‘14 Coach’s Award (Male): Connell Altschiller ‘14

SPRING

BOYS VARSITY BASEBALL NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP Coach Mike Hannon Assistant Coaches Paul Brooks and Bob Santulli It was a beautiful evening on May 25 in Salem, MA. The Berwick Academy Baseball Team was one strike away from completing a dream season.

There were well over 150 fans that

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had traveled to see this team complete their mission and win the New England Small School Tournament Championship title. The Berwick pitcher, Ricky Kramer, was finishing off a stellar performance on the mound, dominating the King School. The final pitch was a strike, and the Berwick team swarmed their pitcher on the mound. The last chapter was complete and the Bulldogs captured their first NEPSAC Baseball title in 19 years.

This was season a of firsts for Coach Mike Hannon. This was the first time winning the NE Small School Tournament, the first time winning the EIL Tournament, the first time being 10-0 to start a season, the first time hosting two NEPSAC tournament games, and finally the first time being in 80 degree weather during spring break in Maine. It was truly a season to remember for this incredible team. The team’s success was built around a very talented player in Junior Ricky Kramer. This does not diminish the importance of a supporting cast, which was vital to the success of this championship team. This team was far from a one-man show, but statistically, Ricky was not only the best pitcher, but he also led the team offensively batting .435, including many key situational hits to either begin a rally or to sock opponents their final blow. Ricky’s play in the field cannot be overshadowed, especially in the playoffs, where he showed range and effectiveness at the shortstop position. The team was fortunate to have a strong #2 pitcher in Conor McFarland.

In fact, Conor struck out 17 batters in a game this spring, and in the very next game Ricky struck out 15 of the 18 batters he faced. This was a devastating one-two punch for the Bulldogs. It was no surprise that Ricky Kramer was voted by his teammates as the MVP,

but the icing on the cake was when the baseball coaches of the EIL recognized his talent and ability and also named Ricky the EIL MVP. The Berwick community rallied behind this team during the spring, drawing huge crowds to our last two NEPSAC tournament games. The Brewster game was never in doubt, and Berwick ran away with the victory.

The Pingree game was the match-up of the season. We had lost to Pingree at the end of the regular season, and many of the boys wanted another shot at seeking revenge. They did not see Pingree in the EIL tournament because they had been upset by Concord in the semi-final game, so the Bulldogs were anxious to avenge their only league loss during the season. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Blake Downey scored the winning run in walk-off fashion, earning the victory and sending the team to the championship game.

This team had tremendous chemistry and made their season an enjoyable experience. Coach Mike Hannon shared his insight to the team’s success: “They set their egos aside and fed off each other’s competitiveness. They respected each other and enjoyed each other’s company.

They did what it took--the little things to succeed.”

Team MVP: Ricky Kramer ’13 Coach’s Award: Alex Hoyt ’12 EIL MVP: Ricky Kramer ’13 EIL Coach of the Year Award: Coach Hannon EIL All-League: Ricky Kramer, Conor McFarland ‘13, James Winkler ‘14, Neil Maietta ‘13 EIL Honorable Mention: Blake Downey ‘13, Alex Grammenos ‘13

Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach Kyle Ridgway Assistant Coach Mackenzie Langston It was a breakthrough year for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse season, qualifying for the EIL “A” bracket play-off for the first time in ten years. There were

many exciting games for the Lady Bulldogs, and their style of play was fastpaced and aggressive. From the start of spring break training through the last weekend of play-off lacrosse, this group of girls played with a sense of urgency and pride. The team was led

by Seniors Shannon Farrell and Lyndsay Brattan, both doing the bulk of the scoring. The defensive end of the field was led by Kaitlyn Wurzer in the cage and supported by Alex Wood and Cora Ordway.

The 2012 Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team ended the season with 11 wins and three losses. We beat three teams that had beaten us last year, and we beat Newton for the first time ever.

The team scored 166 goals in 14 games, averaging 11.9 goals per game.

There were 111 goals against us in 14 games, an average of 7.9 goals against per game. Statistically, the team had 66 total assists and 121 saves, an average of 8.6 saves per game. The point spread for wins was 6.8. The point spread for losses was 4.2.

MVP: Shannon Farrell ‘12 Coach’s Award: Cora Ordway ‘14 EIL Coach of the Year Award: Coach Ridgway EIL All-League: Shannon Farrell, Lyndsay Bratten, Kaitlyn Wurzer.

EIL Honorable Mention: Alex Wood, Cora Ordway NEPSWLA All-Stars: Shannon Farrell, Lyndsay Brattan

Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach Bill Clapp Assistant Coach Andrew Kasprzak The Boy Varsity Lacrosse Team ended the season 7 and 9, with a league re-

cord of 4 and 3 and third place in the EIL. We had a great win over Tilton and some tough losses against some of the best teams in NE. We had some close games with Brooks and Proctor and a tough loss to our rival, Pingree. The players on this team demonstrated a continued desire to play their best to the final minute, no matter the score.

There were 13 seniors on the team this year. This meant two things: one, that there are lots of spots open for next year, and two, we had many experienced players who will be missed as they move on from Berwick. These players set a tone that balanced fun with seriousness of purpose. Through their efforts they were able to continually improve into a successful team.

This year six seniors were recognized with All-League awards for their significant contributions to the team, both in performance and leadership.

Brian O’Day was recognized for his tremendous success as a face-off midfielder; John Reinhardt, for outstanding performance and team leadership; Saul Groman, for steadfast defensive performance; Mitch Rodgers, for leading the team in scoring and consistently generating offense. Honorable mentions went to the two assistant captains, Parker Woolley and Grahm McGlinchey.

MVP: John Reinhardt ‘12 Coach’s Award: Liam Darcy ‘15 EIL All-League: John Reinhardt, Mitch Rogers, Saul Groman, Brian O’Day. EIL Honorable Mention: Parker Woolley, Grahm McGlinchey

Girls Varsity Softball Coach Tammy Myers Assistant Coach Becky Enright We had a challenging start to our season due to injuries to key players.

Luckily, we were able to overcome

this, thanks to the non-injured players really stepping it up. Our game opener was a very tough loss to Portsmouth Abbey 18-4, but then we went on the road for a few games and had a winning streak of three games, including a great win at home against Winsor, beating them in the bottom of the seventh 10-9. Unfortunately, we didn’t see another win until the end of the season at the tournament. We went into the tournament as the eighth seed and finished the tournament in seventh, losing a very close game to Bancroft 5-3, and then beating Portsmouth Abbey 16-2.

MVP: Kristen Sanborn ‘12 Coach’s Award: Juliana Blais ’12 EIL All League: Rebecca Siegel ’14 EIL Honorable Mention: Kristen Sanborn ’12

Boys Varsity Tennis Coach Ted Sherbahn This year’s team faced the challenge of having only three of the team’s 10 players return this year. With seven players new to the team (four of them playing tennis in the Upper School for the first time), we were challenged with having to make adjustments to the level of play and the expectations around all the rules of the Code of tennis. With a final record of five wins and seven losses, considering the circumstances, the team performed well, including putting together a 3-2 record outside of the league (We finished fourth in our league of six schools). This year we said goodbye to only three seniors, Ben Siegel, Nate Winters, and Taylor Scanlon, so we look forward to another year of progress leading to the 2013 season and moving up in the league standings.

MVP: Tristan Dardani ‘13 Coach’s Award: Ben Siegel ‘12

Girls Varsity Tennis Coach Donna Cullen This team had a great season. All the players really stepped up this year.

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Half the team consisted of new players, and whether they played as a starter or played exhibition, they were valuable to the team. We are in a very tough league and play very good tennis players. Our overall record was 7-6, and our league record was 4-6. We won all of our out-of-league matches, beating Hebron 5-0 and North Yarmouth Academy 5-0. Brewster was a bit tougher, and we were missing a varsity player but still won 3-2. The commitment to the team was big.

We spent a lot of time traveling, so it’s a real time commitment, and I appreciate the effort because I know all the players have a ton of work to do when they get home. I consider us very lucky to have had the seniors that we had this year-- Nicole, Devon, and Ellie – because they’re nice, experienced, and good role models.

MVP: Nicole Kleinmann ‘12 Coach’s Award: Devon Wood ‘12 EIL All League: Nicole Kleinmann EIL Honorable Mention: Devon Wood

Bulldog Award Winners: These committed seniors were three-season athletes for all four years of Upper School, competing for 12 seasons.

John Reinhardt Ben Siegel Nicole Kleinmann Grahm McGlinchey Alex Hoyt Joe Reid

ALUMNI ATHLETES: KEEPING THE BULLDOG SPIRIT ALIVE Keegan Mehlhorn ’08 and Aaron Harris ’09 competed in this year’s Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament at their respective schools.

Keegan, a senior captain and midfielder for Bowdoin College, has had a terrific college lacrosse career, leading his team with 27 goals last year, racking up 22 goals, and notching seven assists this year.

He missed five games due to injury during the season but came back for their NESCAC and NCAA tournament run. Despite Keegan’s hat trick in the NESCAC Finals against Tufts, Bowdoin lost the game in double overtime. The Polar Bears eventually advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament,where they lost to Union College. Keegan won the Paul A. Timer Award last year at Bowdoin for being combo of valuable player, heart and soul, and driving force.

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Keegan played soccer, hockey, and lacrosse at BA. He was captain of both soccer and lacrosse as a senior and EIL All-League for both sports.

He was team MVP in lacrosse as a senior. Fosters Daily Democrat recognized him as Player of the Year from their 2007 soccer “Dream Team,” and placed him on their lacrosse “Dream Team” for two years.

Aaron had a stellar junior year at Western New England University, being named the Defensive Player of the Year in The Commonwealth Coast Conference and earning Division III All-America, Honorable Mention honors. He was also named to both the All-CCC First Team and the AllNew England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III First Team. Aaron led his team in caused turnovers with 28 and was second on ground balls with 41. He also started in all 18 games played this season at defense. Aaron helped his team win the Commonwealth Coast Conference Title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, where they advanced to the second round.

At BA, Aaron was a letter winner in golf, hockey, and lacrosse. He was captain of both the hockey and lacrosse teams and All-League in both sports. In hockey he was the team MVP in 2009. In lacrosse he was the EIL League MVP in his final season.

Development N e w s

The Annie Armstrong Scholarship Berwick Academy is proud to report that the Annie Armstrong Scholarship to support diversity will enter its second year this September. In May of 2011, Russell W. Jeppesen P’99, ’03 Trustee Emeritus, and his wife, Mary, established the Annie Armstrong Scholarship to provide 100% tuition assistance to a deserving student of color entering the Upper School. The recipient of this scholarship shall be of good academic standing, whose personal potential would benefit from an independent school education, and who demonstrates financial need by the Financial Aid Committee. This generous gift reflects the Jeppesen family’s deep belief in service to others, both within and beyond the School community, and their support of Berwick’s commitment to improving ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of its student body. The Annie Armstrong Scholarship has made this community stronger and provided a transformational opportunity for a qualified student who would otherwise be unable to attend Berwick Academy.

Berwick remains enormously grateful for the on-going support, enthusiasm, and vision of the Jeppesen family. Their philanthropic investments continue to impact the Berwick experience in so many important ways. To learn more about supporting diversity at Berwick Academy through philanthropy, please contact Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement at jwhitlock@ berwickacademy.org.

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Winterfest 2012

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Winter Pep Rally

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Language Day

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Upper School Musical Damn Yankees

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Lower School Musical Free to be You and Me

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Earth Day

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Grandparent’s Day

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Dance Show

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Senior Class Last Day

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Middle School Canobie Lake Park Trip

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Young Author’s Day

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Grade 8 Baccalaureate

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Alumni Weekend 2012...come back and celebrate!

September

21-23

All alumni are invited to two new signature events of the weekend:

The Hilltop Luncheon is the traditional alumni banquet, just held earlier in the day. Come to the Jackson Library at noon for lunch on Saturday, and stay for the alumni awards and celebration of the 50th reunion of the Class of 1962.

The 100 Club Cocktail Reception will be held in downtown Portsmouth on Saturday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Make this your first stop to reconnect with classmates and teachers before heading out to experience Portsmouth’s nightlife.

Thursday, September 20, 2012 Bulldog Boosters Golf Tournament at The Ledges in York berwickacademy.org/boosters

Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:30 – 11 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Welcome Center in Jackson Library 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Dog Days Family Fun Fair on Fogg Field

Friday, September 21, 2012

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Hilltop

luncheon in Jackson Library

11 a.m. – Noon Upper School Classroom Experience Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch in the Commons 2:30 – 4 p.m. Historic Campus Tour 3:30 p.m. Student Athletics

1:30 - 2 p.m. Alumni Awards Presentation, Celebration of the Class of 1962 50th reunion, and Alumni Art Exhibit by Mark Ruddy ‘77 in Jackson Library

More information about the weekend’s events is available through our website at:

3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Alumni Soccer on the turf field with Mr. Connolly

www.berwickacademy.org/alumniweekend Contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office with questions or to register at 207.384.6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

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11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Upper School Athletics

2 – 4 p.m. Historic Campus Tour

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 100

Club Alumni Cocktail Reception

Register online at www.berwickacademy.org/alumniweekend

Interview with anAlumnus

Jordan Sullivan ‘03

You are doing some pretty interesting work at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Yes, I am doing research in the Genetics Analysis Program, where we isolate DNA in cell samples, looking for differences in the genetics which increase the likelihood of a disease such as diabetes, autism, or schizophrenia, among others.

What is a typical day in the lab like?

Our lab takes in cell samples from patients with a particular disease. We isolate the DNA in the cells, purify it, and then a liquidhandling robot hybridizes it to a chip. I shoot those chips with optic lasers, which makes the fluorescent beads attached to the DNA glow when the chip is scanned. From the intensity of the glow, we are able to deduce the genotype and look for differences from the control samples.

That is pretty amazing, yet all I can think about is you shooting lasers.

It’s a lot of fun.

You didn’t start out to be a research scientist. How did you wind up in a lab?

After BA, I went to Davidson College in North Carolina, a small liberal arts college that reminded me of BA. I was pre-med, but I wasn’t really passionate about it, so I focused on biology, which was a lot of fun. I felt I had endless job possibilities once I graduated, but the weak economy forced me back to Maine waiting tables. Before long, I applied to the Broad Institute and got my first research job.

Have you worked on any exciting breakthroughs?

I took a sabbatical from my current position and worked in the Medical and Population Genetics program on an international study of individuals who had an innate ability to suppress HIV. Our group found that there were differences on a genetic level between people who can suppress the virus and those who cannot. Our findings were published.

What is the ultimate goal of your research?

We strive to identify the genetic components of diseases.

I would say that ultimately we’re looking to gain a better understanding of diseases, with the hope that we can eventually find unique, or even personalized, ways to treat or prevent them. In breast cancer for example, we would more likely aim to develop novel therapeutics to target and exploit that genetic difference.

Back when you were roaming the halls of BA, did you have any idea you would be shooting lasers and looking for ways to stop cancer?

Not really, but science and math were always my strong suits, and I chose biology because it came easily to me. I took lots of AP courses and had some great teachers. I am thankful for many people at BA. Ms. Bessette was extremely helpful. Mr. Sherbahn was my advisor and was tremendous at guiding me through the college admissions process and just generally dealing with a teenager.

What is next for you, careerwise?

I am currently working toward my Master of Liberal Arts in Finance at Harvard and plan to finish within a year. My hard science background combined with finance will give me a diversity of knowledge so I can explore working on the business side of science. I may get involved with venture capital for biotech companies or other science-based start-ups.

Since I really like to work with people, this career should suit me better than the lab work.

Any advice to the aspiring scientist?

Whether or not you are considering a career in science, math and science are always great courses to take because they play such an important part in our future. You also don’t have to go down a singular path. Like me, if you are passionate about two fields, try to find a way to combine them. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you can’t find a job right away!

Jordan is currently living in Cambridge with his dog, Murphy. His mother, Jennifer Brewer, is the Library Director and Lower School Librarian at BA. Jordan can be contacted at jordan@broadinstitute.org.

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Boarding Era Reunion 2012

We are very excited to welcome the Boarding Era alumni back to campus for a reunion like you have never seen! New activities are planned on and off the Hilltop--so much to see and do. Come for a little, or come for a lot, but come!

Two signature events for your special weekend are a down home Lobster

Dinner on campus and

the 100

Club Alumni

Cocktail Reception at the beautiful 100 Club in downtown Portsmouth.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Bulldog Boosters Golf Tournament

Alumni Sports on the Turf Field (Time TBD)

at The Ledges in York berwickacademy.org/boosters

Friday, September 21, 2012 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Upper School Classroom Experience followed by Lunch in the Commons (R, F) 2:30 – 4 p.m. Historic Campus Tour (R) 3:30 p.m. Student Athletics 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Party on Burleigh Davidson Porch (R, F, Cash Bar) 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Lobster Dinner in the Commons (R, F, $)

Weekend-long Events • Discounted golf at The Ledges in York and the Links in South Berwick ($) Contact the golf course for reservations.

• Mark Ruddy ‘77 Art Exhibit in the Jackson Library Gallery KEY: R - Reservations required through BA F - Food will be available $ - Cost associated with event

Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:30 – 11 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Welcome Center in Jackson Library (F) 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Upper School Athletics Noon – 2:00 p.m. Hilltop Luncheon including Alumni Awards and a Celebration of the Class of 1962 50th reunion (F, R) 2 – 4 p.m. Historic Campus Tour (R) 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 100

Club Alumni Cocktail

Reception in Portsmouth (F, $, R)

N46ew!

More information about the weekend’s events is available through our website at: www.berwickacademy.org/boardingreunion Contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office with questions or to register at 207.384.6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

Register online at www.berwickacademy.org/boardingreunion

The Civil War Veterans of Berwick Academy and South Berwick, Maine

This project started when I read my copy of the Winter 2012 Berwick Today that contained Rachel Saliba’s article “Honoring Berwick’s Civil War Veterans.” It had a list of 11 Berwick Academy students who had served in the Civil War along with a request for help in finding other students who might have served.

First Battle of Bull Run / Manassas in 1861.

I also served in the US Army from December 1961 to December 1964. My last post was Fort Lee, VA, outside Petersburg from May to December 1964. My wife, Maria, and I walked over the battlefield there many

I couldn’t let go. I couldn’t stop with just Berwick Academy; I had to include the town of South Berwick also since the town’s and BA’s histories have been intertwined since Berwick Academy was founded in 1791. My time at BA was when it was South Berwick’s high school, different from what is was in the mid-1800’s and different from what it is now.

This project could not have happened without Rachel’s help. She supplied me with a database of BA students from 1847 to 1864 and has answered any questions I had regarding BA. My other source was Wendy Pirsig of the Old Berwick Historical Society, who provided me, through Gillian Cusack, the database of the cemeteries in South Berwick and the names of Augustus L., George W., and William H. Williams (more about them later).

I am not a historian or a researcher, just a retired tool and machine design engineer with time on his hands and an interest in the Civil War from a personal relationship. The older brother of one of my great grandfathers was the first New Hampshire resident killed in battle in the Civil War, Private Harvey Holt, 2nd New Hampshire Infantry, Company I, at

times. I realized sometime later that if I had been born one hundred years earlier, I might have been there when the battles were fought, a sobering thought.

I sat down with four regimental histories that contain rosters, Maine at Gettysburg, and my computer and went to work. Once I got going,

The list of veterans that developed has 146 BA students, 48 of them South Berwick residents. The list of veterans from South Berwick has 259 names, including the 48 on the BA list. These are individuals who were born in, resided in, enlisted from, or were buried in South Berwick. The total from both Berwick Academy and South Berwick is 357. This is not really surprising, considering Maine sent the highest percentage of its population to the war of any state.

There were a couple of surprises that I would like to note and another that shows the tragedy of the war.

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First: Five Berwick Academy students, two from Georgia, one from Texas, one from North Carolina, and one who was born and raised in South Berwick, educated at Berwick Academy, and whose brother was preceptor of Berwick Academy, fought for the Confederacy. In my opinion, they deserve as much a place in the honoring of the Berwick Academy veterans as the ones who fought for the Union.

General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain set the precedent for this when he called the troops in his command to attention and to the “carry,” the marching salute, at the formal surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, in April 1865. The salute was returned by the surrendering Confederates before they laid down their arms, “honor answering honor” (Chamberlain. “Bayonet! Forward,” Chapter 6, Appomattox) .

Second: Wendy Pirsig told me that there is an African-American family buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Wadleigh Lane. (I lived across the street for over thirty years and didn’t know that). There is a GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) marker on the gravesite. Their descendants have contacted the Old Berwick Historical Society to see if they could confirm any Civil War service. I was able to find that Augustus L., George W., and William H. Williams registered for the draft in June of 1863 and that Augustus had enlisted in the 1st Regiment Louisiana Cavalry, Corp de Afrique, Company B in October of 1863. This regiment was changed to the 4th United States Colored Cavalry in April of 1864. How he got to Louisiana I couldn’t find out, but most likely by ship or down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers by river boat. The rivers were controlled by the Union by then.

Third: There were three soldiers from South Berwick (one was also a student at BA) that were captured and were sent to Andersonville Prison in

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Georgia. Two of them died and were buried there. The other survived and returned home. One can only imagine what effect this had on the rest of his life.

Then there is the story of the 27th Maine Infantry. It was a ninemonth regiment that was made up primarily of York County and some Oxford County residents. Practically all of the enlistees from South Berwick were in Company B. Their term of service was done at the end of June 1863. Congress, knowing of Lee’s march north, voted to give the whole regiment the Medal of Honor if they would stay beyond their term to help defend Washington, DC. About half said yes and stayed until the threat to Washington that culminated in The Battle of Gettysburg was over, while the others went home. Medals of Honor for the entire regiment were sent to the Commanding Officer for distribution. He gave the medals only to the ones who stayed in Washington. The rest have never been found. This controversy became moot after a government commission reviewed all Medals of Honor in 1917 and rescinded the 27th Maine’s, as well as many others that were not given for bravery in battle. John J. Pullen’s “A Shower of Stars” tells the whole story. A connection to B.A. is that John Brown and Granville

Hasty, members of the regiment, were Gladys Hasty Carroll’s great-grandfather and great-uncle respectively.

I know that the list of veterans is only 90 to 95 percent accurate.

(I may be too generous here.) There were a few individuals, particularly out of state students from BA,who had more than one veteran with the same name and middle initial. These I did not include. By the same token, I may have included a few who were not veterans but had the same name as those who were.

Here I sit, a thousand miles away from South Berwick, communicating by email and able to look at so many sources of information almost instantaneously. This project probably would have taken months back in the day of pay phones, US Postal Service, and travel to search the archives from Maine to Wisconsin to Georgia to Texas and places in between. I’ve been able to do all that sitting at my desk.

Students today have no idea how fortunate they are to have the internet.

Again I would like to thank Rachel and Wendy for all their help.

This project couldn’t have been done without them. Their rapid replies to my questions and comments really sped things along.

There is one more thank you I have to give. That is to Marie Donahue, my freshman, junior, and senior English teacher. People say that there is one teacher you never forget. Miss D. was that one for me. I didn’t find out for many years she had an interest in the Civil War. She was not interested in just the battles; she had great sympathy for the soldiers on both sides because of the conditions they endured. We swapped books on the subject, and she gave me some notes and articles that I used in the project. The last time I spoke to her was in 2006 when my wife and I were in town for a visit. At that time she was too ill for company, but we were able to have a short conversation on the phone. She was a positive influence on so many.

Arthur Stansfield ‘56 Lexington, Kentucky April 30, 2012

Visit www.berwickacademy.org/civilwar to view the list of BA and South Berwick Civil War Veterans or contact Kathryn Strand at 207.384.6307 to request a printed copy.

2012 Alumni Weekend - Mark Ruddy ’’77 Art Exhibit

Like many BA post-

as an illustrator, graph-

We are honored to ex-

graduate students in the

ic artist, and muralist.

hibit

1970s,

In 1989 he received his

in the Jackson Library

here to play hockey. But

first

Gallery

something happened when

sion and over the years

of September and invite

he stepped into Charles

has

the entire BA community

Andres’

commissioned portraits,

to view them.

Mr.

including adults, chil-

you were wondering, Mark

Mark’s

dren and cherished pets.

still plays hockey and

Mark

Ruddy

art

classroom

in Fogg Memorial.

Andres

was

nurtured

interest in drawing and helped him develop a portfolio.

Four

years

Mark

later,

graduated from UNH with a Bachelor of Fine

Arts

degree

and went on to work

portrait produced

commisnumerous

Mark’s for

participated

portraits the

month

In case

in

last

year’s alumni game.

“I am fascinated with the unique character of every face I see.” - Mark Ruddy

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Alumni Class Notes Class of 1947

Class of 1952

65th Reunion

60th Reunion

1953 Edithe Boston Jepson:

Lois Harmon Dugal: Do you remember our graduation 65 years ago and how excited we were to be going out into the world and show everyone just how grown up we were? Well, 65 years have passed in the blink of an eye, and we are definitely grown up. Let’s get excited again and attend our 65th class reunion in September. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a few classmates over the years, but there are many more I hope to see when we celebrate this big milestone in our lives. It is time to share a lifetime of living with each other and recall our years at good old B.A. I’m waiting to see you. Please come.

Bob Marshall

and his wife, Lois, live in Quincy, MA, and he plans to attend his reunion.

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Renewing some thoughts of the Class of ’53, with pride! Time fleets away from us all; it goes so quickly. There is no time left that isn’t precious. We should hear from each other and keep our hearts in touch. Remember the days of our lives at good ol’ Berwick Academy! There are so many memories of our times together. We shall never forget those years! Our teachers, our classmates, our youthful ways, and even though we can’t go back to being the “US” as we once were, it is worth it all to keep saying “Hello” to each other in some sort of manner and let it be known that we did really care and that we all still do (I am sure). Lovingly thinking of you all. I am now age 79 and holding on with strength and good will.

Class of 1957 55th Reunion

1961 Judy A. Brown:

Lovingly submitted in memory of my special aunt, Marcia Davis Hio (pictured right) ’51, who passed away peacefully at her home in Tuolumne, CA, on February 2, 2012.

Aunt Marcia leaves her husband, Bob, of 59 years; her children, Brenda, Terry, David and Kathy; four grandchildren; and her beloved Husky, Koda.

She loved attending Berwick Academy, and was treasurer of her senior class. Class motto: “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding.”

Kinloch “KC” Walpole:

Do have one big project on the board.

Five years ago Horizon Communities in Prison and the Gateless Gate Zen Center partnered to try and get computer learning centers as a part of the dorm in the women’s prison, and this year it finally happened. The rec room was taken out, and in its place were 10 computer work stations that will be open as long as the lights are on. You see, the average educational level in Florida prisons is the sixth grade, which is so low that inmates cannot even qualify to get into a GED program. The state has over 100,000 inmates and they award maybe 2,000 GED certificates a year.

The computer learning programs we will install on the computers have an 80 percent success rate. Yes, there are other

facets of the Faith/Character Dorm program, but that would take too much space and time. Let it be said that if we can get it off of the ground as we have conceived it, penology will be stood on its ears.

Class of 1962 50th Reunion

Kim Reynolds:

After notifying known emails from the Distinguished Class of ‘61 about my recent diagnosis of Spinal Cord Injury and learning to live life in a wheelchair with all the lifestyle changes involved, I received responses from Bob Bogardus, Bob Wilson, Giles Lauren, Stan Allaben, Paul Jutras, and Kinloch Walpole. Bob B. shares that he and Kevin McLeod, who owns the Comfort Inn in Portsmouth, are working on his 1960 Weston, MA, high school reunion for the fall in Portsmouth. Bob Wilson welcomes me to the “Aluminum Pony” which “I’ve been riding for a long time.” He reports being proud of his grandgirls with his oldest, a junior at the University of Maine and youngest, a freshman at Boston University. Stan reports his business Palmetto Bikes on Hilton Head Island (800 bikes and attachments rented to visitors) and his art in oil and watercolors are doing well at his gallery at Hilton Head (www.allabenfineart.com).

Paul reports hoping to get up to the BA Alumni Banquet and hoping some others from the class will be there. He reports “this is a much better year than I have had in the past.” Giles (formerly Gary) continues classical writing and getting ready to attend the American Classical League meeting in Las Vegas to plump his book Caesar Commentaries; The Complete Gallic War, Revised, reporting it has received some good reviews on Amazon. It was great to see all of you who came for our 50th, and BA has a special place in my heart. Keep in touch.

Tris Carpenter:

Is coming to the reunion and wants to see everyone!

He’ll tell you all about his fishing trips and veterinarian practice.

1963 Gail Tremblay: I do some painting, weaving, and other fiber arts of various sorts, installation art, and some sculpture. I have shown art throughout the US and in Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil, and China. I have been national president of the Women’s Caucus for Art and have written books and articles on art and have worked in museum collections. I have also written and published lots of poetry. I teach at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and have had wonderful and gifted students. I can’t complain. I have never been bored. Every morning I can get up and think of more things I want to do than one could do in a lifetime.

I intend to work as long as my body allows me to, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it. I feel lucky to have gotten to see and do the things I have done and to have spent time with so

many lively and interesting people. I would have never dreamed my life was possible when I was 17 or even 23, the year I started teaching after I finished graduate school. If I get my wish, I will probably retire from teaching at 70 and write and make art full time. In the meantime, I am busy and it is all interesting.

Bert Polk:

My youngest son and his wife invited Kathy and me to watch when they went hang gliding for her birthday. They have four young children, so I knew I was invited to watch the kids - always a treat. When we arrived, the kids told us they could go as well, and the man would duct tape them on! (Mom later vetoed that great idea.) Then, since the kids could not go, they opted instead for vicarious thrills, jumping up and down and convincing me to go. My birthday was the following week. I did look good - just came from a cousin’s baptism so I had a nice suit for the occasion. Very fun, peaceful, and relaxing really - just quietly flying around from a couple of thousand feet and going around in circles with the hawks. Happy Birthday, everyone!

1965 Richard Stocker: Come see Stocker…get a 36.36457 on his next exam… by Professor James R. Jorgen.

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1966

Sharon Fogarty

Class of 1972

Charles “Kip” Kuntz:

40th Reunion

Sorry I can’t make this year’s reunion, but I will be starting my last year before retiring as a high school science teacher.

I worked 28 years as an engineering geologist in consulting and contract research and shifted careers in 2000 to get out of the fast lane and enjoy more time for other interests. My daughter is expecting my first grandchild in July, so I know where some of my future retirement time will be spent. Regards to everyone.

Class of 1967 45th Reunion

Richie Lawrence, Rob Howie, Paul Lindmark, Mike MacDonald, Andrew Fleischer, and other Boarding Era alums on Join

Alumni Weekend. message at:

See Rob’s video

berwickacademy.org/boardingreunion

Bill Hughan:

I am in good health and enjoying my retirement. My wife and I continue to live in Bethlehem, CT, and are very excited to welcome our first grandchild this summer. During football season, we spend most of our time following the New York Jets. Our son, Billy, works as the head strength and conditioning coach for the franchise. He spent four seasons with the Oakland Raiders, then three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, before signing on with the Jets last season. He lives in the same town in New Jersey where both my wife and I grew up. Small world!

Class of 1977 35th Reunion

Class of 1982

was given the Award for Leadership and Professional Excellence by the New England Business Travel Association (NEBTA). This is a local organization that consists of 170 travel professionals (both on the buyer and supplier side). It is part of the GBTA (Global Business Travel Association), which is the national organization and has about 5,000 members.

Sharon is completing her three-year term on the national GBTA Board. She was also past NEBTA President for four years. Other individuals who have received this award in the past include the CEO of the Boston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the former head of Massport.

Marc Mousseau:

Things are going well here in Atlanta. It has been great keeping in touch with classmates from my BA years. Hopefully, many of us will be there for the events in September. I sure hope my schedule will allow me to make it. Our oldest just graduated from the University of Georgia this spring. Wow, how time flies!

Meanwhile, we will spend most of the summer traveling. We will spend the better part of June in Germany and the surrounding area. As usual, we have very few concrete plans and expect to just “wing it” most of the time. I think it is more fun that way. Then a little time in Texas and the Pennsylvania Dutch country, and then, before you know it, my youngest will be a high school freshman. Congratulations to the Class of 2012, may your dreams become reality … but don’t forget to live a little along the way! My mother once told me the days of your lives are like feathers on the breeze. Once they float away, they are very difficult to get back.

30th Reunion

1983 Anne Converse Willkomm was recently appointed the Interim Director of the Graduate Publishing Pro-

52

grams at Rosemont College. Also, her short story “Albee,” set in Maine, was published in the Midwest Coast Review.

Class of 1987 25th Reunion

Mia turned one in May, and we have three more grandchildren on the way (from Ben’s daughters). I am looking forward to this new phase of our lives, and have also enjoyed catching up with classmates on Facebook. Recently enjoyed a visit with my cousin Karyn Scharf Morin ‘87 as we attended my sister’s wedding at Spring Hill in South Berwick. Best wishes to you all.

1990

Natalie Induisi-Hanson:

It’s been awhile since I sent notes! Figured this was a good year, being 25 years and all. All is well. I live in Dover with my husband, Chip, and our 13-yearold twins. They are the age I was when I started at BA. They both are in seventh grade at Dover Middle School.

Gabby is a dancer at Brixham in South Berwick, and Griffin plays football for the Seacoast Titans as well as lacrosse.

ing having a little more space! Keiran and Dermott turn four in July. They start Berwick pre-K in the fall (Go BA Class of 2026!) and are already having a blast going to all the games “up the hill.” I have been able to do a little more traveling this year, including a trip for fun to Costa Rica and a trip for work to New Orleans. It was great to see Ian Dreyer in his new hometown! My job description remains the same, and I continue to love (almost) every minute of it. Another layer will be added soon as I start to work with some of our classmates’ kids in the college search. Yikes! Can’t wait to see you all at our 25th reunion next year!

Heather Krans:

1988 Bill Cormier:

Things are going well here, keeping busy with work and my son, James, who is now four and a half years old. He attends a nice little school in our neighborhood called Garden House and will move from kindergarten to “Reception” in September, which I can hardly believe!

On June 1, 2012, Heather Krans of The Stein Law Firm, PLLC, began her term as Chair of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Family Law Section. Heather’s practice includes family law, complex litigation, and appellate law, and she has again been noted as a rising star in SuperLawyers.

1991 Erika Yates They keep me busy. I run a bridal shop in Plaistow, NH, and have been in this industry for about 13 years. Peace and happiness to all.

Deby Liberty Martinez:

My husband, Ben, and I are enjoying our fourth year in CT. He will retire from the US Navy at the end of 2012, so new adventures ahead. Will is graduating high school with honors, and Katerina from eighth grade this year, so a busy spring for us. Our granddaughter

Moira McManus McKinnon It’s been a busy year. We moved from Exeter to Hampton in October, in the midst of the crazy college application season. There are still boxes to unpack, but we are settling in and enjoy-

is deployed with an Army National Guard Aviation unit to Kuwait for a year. Her sister Po (Perin) Yates Gray (BA ‘94) is on left in the photo. Erika’s two children, Savage, 14, and Taya, 15, are on the right. The young children are Po’s Cecil and Gracie. Parents Peter and Alice Duston (former faculty) are in the middle. Erika is a flight medic and “backseater” in a Blackhawk air ambulance.

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Class of 1992 20th Reunion

(Bottom left photo) Jessie and Emily on the shore of Lake Natron with the volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengia, in the background.

Class of 2002 10th Reunion

Wylie Herzberg

is the head golf professional at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, ME. His baby daughter, Gwendolyn, was born on March 31, 2012.

Class of 1997 15th Reunion

Rob Wilich:

Hi Berwickians! All is well in life. I have taken roots in Hampton, NH. I spend most of my time working as a realtor for Carey and Giampa Realtors in the Seacoast of NH and Southern Maine. When I am not selling houses, I am surfing or mountain biking with my dogs. Still hang with the same cast of BA characters: Mac, Sam, Siroy, Wyley, Foster, Battis, Brady, Willy, Byer. I hope to see many of you at our 10-year reunion this fall!

Chloe Green:

2000 Emily Taylor:

In December my boyfriend and I went to Arusha, Tanzania, to visit Jessie Davie and her husband, Jesse Leff. It was so great to see them! The country is beautiful, and they were incredible hosts.

The Jess(i)es took us on safari, hiking up volcanos, camping, etc. They’re moving to the The Hague, Netherlands, this spring, so we caught them just in time.

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After five years working in the public health and environmental justice field in Boston, I moved this past September to Los Angeles to start a master’s program at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. With the help of a fellowship, I’m working on a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning with a focus on environmental justice and public health.

I’m just finishing up my first year and gearing up for an internship in South Central LA at a group of clinics working on a project to address occupational health and safety and labor law violations. In the little windows of free time, I’m singing, dancing bachata, and exploring Los Angeles’ strange landscape and its rich activist, political, and land use history.

2003 Eric

Graham:

After graduating from the University of Southern Maine in 2009, I have started a career coaching hockey. While it was hard to stop playing with the conclusion of my college career, I have found coaching to be very rewarding. After a year at Falmouth High School, I was hired as an Assistant Coach at North Yarmouth Academy last season. In April, I was promoted to Head Coach and also hired as an Admissions Officer. I look forward to playing against Berwick next winter and seeing Coach Lathrop on the other bench. I still play in a summer men’s league with many former BA teammates, which helps us stay in touch through our changing lives. I hope everyone in the Berwick community is doing well!

Sarah Chandler:

In July of 2010, I graduated from the UNH MBA program and began working at Unum, located in Portland, ME. Going back to school full time was a great experience, and I gained amazing insight into the business world.

I am a member of Unum’s rotational Leadership Development Program and am currently living in Columbia, SC, for a year on a work rotation. I’m looking forward to coming home and settling into our new home in Portsmouth with my fiancé, Mike Megna (St. Thomas ‘04). We are planning a September 15 wedding that will take place in Rye, NH.

2004 Amanda Clifford:

I cannot believe that it has been eight years since the class of 2004 graduated! It seems like just yesterday that we left the Hilltop. I have been up to quite a bit since then.

After graduating from Muhlenberg College in 2008, I worked in Philadelphia in real estate management for two years. I then decided to go back to school and pursue a degree in health care. I went to Boston College and just recently graduated from their Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. I am moving back to Pennsylvania this summer, and I’m getting married in December! A lot of big changes this year -- graduating, moving, getting married, and starting a new career! All very exciting. I hope that everyone is doing well and is very happy and healthy! I hope to see everyone soon one of these days at a BA reunion!

Class of 2007 5th Reunion

the MBA program at UNH. I just recently returned from Beijing and Shanghai, where I was studying foreign and domestic business. See you all in the fall, and be in touch!

Hannah Gerstenblatt :

After graduating from Berwick in 2007, I headed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After four years, I decided I wasn’t ready to leave Penn or Philly, and I started at Penn Law in September of 2011. It was a crazy, whirlwind, and really enjoyable year.

This summer, I am living in New York and working for Major League Baseball as the Legal Intern in the General Counsel’s Office. It is the first step on my journey to a career in sports law (let’s hope). I manage to get home once in a while, and in May, I had the pleasure of returning to Berwick to see my older sister, Ruthie, graduate (for the second time on the Hilltop) as an intern in the Teaching Institute. I have two more years of law school, after which I hope to be working for a firm specializing in sports litigation and if not, to be working for a firm in Boston.

A return to New England is hopefully in my future. But what is truly most important about my life now is that I am still best friends with the young women I met at Berwick Academy. I hope everyone in the Class of 2007, as we reach our five-year reunion, is doing well. I have no doubts.

Kyle

Ryan Martin:

Hi 2007ers, I can’t believe we’re coming up on our fiveyear reunion. I hope to see you all at the festivities in September. After graduating in 2011 from UVM, I moved back to the area to complete

Wildnauer-Haigney:

Hello Berwickians! I live in Denver, CO, and work at DaVita, a Fortune 500 kidney dialysis provider. I enjoy my work; I get to travel a couple times per month to develop and implement operational strategy, and my work exposes me to the full gamut of characters, from the CEO to front line patient care technicians. It is challenging, fulfilling, and I am constantly

learning. This past summer I volunteered in Tanzania, for an alternative energy NGO (Mr. Davie helped me make the connection). It afforded me the opportunity to travel all over Tanzania and install solar lights in rural villages. Not only was it a profound experience, but it greatly impacted my perspective on developing nations.

I am continuing similar volunteer work with another alternative energy NGO based in Denver with a focus on providing ASETs (appropriate sustainable energy technologies) in Namibia and Navajo reservations. My work there mostly involves market analysis and business model development. Exciting work! I also try to keep myself busy by coaching a U-13 boys lacrosse team, for the Boys and Girls Club of Denver. Hopefully, I will positively influence the kids on my team as much as Coach Witherbee, Coach Connolly and Coach Clapp have positively influenced me. I am quickly learning that coaching is a skill that must be intentionally developed over years and years of practice. I love hearing about the BA community and wish the best for all!

2008 Megan Ramsey:

Things are going quite well! After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in May, I will be attending Roehampton University for graduate school in London.

There, I will be earning my master’s degree in Leadership, Education, and Management. I am very excited to expand upon my experiences abroad and to continue meeting wonderful people from different parts of the world. Best of luck to everyone from the class of 2008, and cheers to the next step!

Briana Welch:

I have been up to a lot, but I am most excited about working on my new baking company.

My boyfriend and I are starting up a company called Three B’s Bakery. We

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2011 Jordan Lachance:

sell custom cakes and dessert. Check us out on Facebook! I’m making some strawberry scones as I type this email!

Above is a picture of a cake we made this week. We have some orders flying in as well. Even though I didn’t go to school for this, I just love to bake. I’m still at UNH. I got my AAS in Applied Business Management and am working on my bachelor’s in Family Studies. Take care.

Lisa Graichen:

I just graduated from UNH along with a few other BA ‘08 alumni! I received a B.S. in Environmental Conservation Studies and had opportunities to study abroad in Ecuador and New Zealand. I’ll be continuing to work at the soil ecology lab at UNH for the next year and applying to graduate school.

Still playing guitar and rock climbing!

I’ve had an incredible year. I spent my fall semester on my own in Thailand and my spring semester traveling through Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and India with a group of students my age. In the fall, I taught English to Thai students just about every day, and I helped maintain the facilities where I lived by cooking, cleaning, and offering general help wherever help was needed. My comprehensive travel experience through Asia this spring was unreal and brought me more awareness on scales both personal and international. I feel I’ve gained a unique kind of irreversible self-knowledge by taking risks, by exposing myself to cultures so starkly different from my own, and by temporarily delaying the start of my college experience. I’m home for the summer, and I plan to attend UNH as a liberal arts student in the fall. Believe it or not, I couldn’t be happier to be going to school so close to home after a year of international adventures; it gives me the opportunity to regroup and reconnect with everything that characterizes my home state and coun-

In Memoriam

1938

Jean Boston, February 22, 2012 Bertha Goodwin Carr, July 10, 2011

1939 James S. Doherty, Unknown

1940 Cyril Vincent Finnegan, January 30, 2012

1941 Olive Trueman Parsons, Unknown

1944 Elaine Marion Sarette Watters, May 12, 2012

1945 Irene Boillard, November 29, 2011 Caroline R. Abbott Hutchins, Unknown

1948 Madalene Minnie Welch Cole, April 16, 2012 Dorothy A. Philbrick Scinto, February 8, 2012

1951 Marcia J. Davis Hio, February 2, 2012 Wilfred Parent, May 9, 2012

1952 Robert John Linscott, March 15, 2012 Albert Roy Locke, February 29, 2012

1965 Robert H. Wilkinson, April 30, 2012

Keegan Mehlhorn:

Read about Keegan’s success on the college lacrosse field on page 30.

2009 Aaron Harris:

Read about Aaron’s success on the college lacrosse field on page 30. try. This photo of me with a tiger was taken in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of Thailand. Thank you for reading!

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“Buoys” Nicole Kleinmann ‘12

2012 Alumni Gatherings

Portsmouth, NH, at The Loft; Boston, at the Met Bar; New York City, at the Terrace Club; and Manchester, NH, at Fisher Cats Stadium

Alumni and faculty enjoy the buffet at The Loft bar.

A sister venue of the Music Hall, The Loft was the perfect setting for our gathering— contemporary, intimate, with enough space for musicians to entertain throughout the evening.

Ben Baldwin and Kent Allyn from BA’s music department, along with Brennan Santaniello ’15, provided musical accompaniment to the evening.

More than 60 guests filled the foyer bar and spilled over into the hallways and theater area.

Rob Howie ’72 and David Allen ’72 meet at the Boston event and plan for their 40th reunion in September.

Melissa Gagne ‘03 and Mark Svenson ‘95 enjoying the Fisher Cats game in Manchester, NH.

Cara Zakian ’99 and Holly Gaudette ’00 reminisce at the Terrace Club in New York City.

Anticipating their 30th reunion in September, Loren Hale ’82 and Sharon Fogarty ’82 meet up in Boston.

Michael MacDonald ’72, Sarah Fincke ’05, Olivia Cholak ’05 and Chip Growney ’75 enjoy the New York City gathering.

New York City alumnae Jessica Davis ’01 and Lauren Bauder ’02 join the party at the Terrace Club.

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Berwick Academy 31 Academy Street South Berwick, ME 03908 www.berwickacademy.org

Boarding Era Reunion 2012

Boarding Era alumni met on April 24 for dinner at the Town and Country Club in Hartford, CT. On hand to discuss plans for the September reunion were Jon Kellogg ’65, Bill Roots ’64, Stafford King ’64, Rob Perkin ’65, and Peter Arakelian ’65.

Boarding Era Reunion: September 21-23, 2012 Find out more and register online at www.berwickacademy.org/boardingreunion Locate your BA friends with the new Boarding Era Directory now available online at www.berwickacademy.org/boardingreunion or contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office for a printed copy at 207-384-6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

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