Thank you, Hoopes

WRITTEN

Matt Hoopes has served Brewster’s students and mission for many years—beginning in 1975 as a member of the English faculty and the enthusiastic advisor to the school’s student publications. “When I taught Journalism,” he told us, “I had a ball with kids writing zinging editorials eight times a year—the Head of School and the Dean used to dread the arrival of The Browser!” In 2000, the Hoopes Journalism Room, now a space in the library of the Academic

Building where the journalism club meets, was dedicated in his honor for founding the journalism program at Brewster. Mr. Hoopes also advised the Student Council and Student Court, fostering deep connections through his positive impact, authenticity, and commitment to his students.

After many successful years in the classroom, Hoopes (as his friends call him!) already enjoyed a legacy of character, contributions, and care when he switched gears to a role with our Alumni team, using his handwritten postcards to rally alumni for news of their lives, careers, and adventures to share in Brewster’s magazine and in his “Hoopla” column—all from his beloved home in The Bahamas. Each year at Reunion, Hoopes made the journey back to Brewster via planes, boats, and automobiles. He has been a long time fixture at Reunion, a magnet for alumni looking to swap stories and memories. Hoopes always left each Reunion Weekend with more friends than he arrived with, thanks to his uncanny abilities to build goodwill and connections across the generations.

Matt also started his own non-profit, the Islesmon Camaraderie Foundation, which aims to help Bahamian students find the funding to attend Brewster. Even in retirement, he continues to spread the good word of Brewster, and importantly, make a difference in the lives of young people.

Now, as his work with Brewster comes to a close and he is able to enjoy sunny Bahamian beach days even more (are we a little jealous of those turquoise waters and pink sands? Yes!), Hoopes shares this final reflection with us (see “Hoopla,” opposite) and we say thank you, Hoopes, for the many years of hard work, good humor, and shared memories.

Perhaps the highest compliment comes from Hoopes’ friend and former Brewster Headmaster, David M. Smith, who says, “Your entire adult life has been focused on making a difference in the lives of young people—and maintaining your integrity while doing so. Well done!”

Thoughts on Hoopes

BREWSTER’S STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES SHARE THEIR HOOPES STORIES

“Hoopes, congrats on a beyondsuccessful run as the face of BA for so many graduates. Lots of memories (including editing the paper under your watch!), but the most meaningful were the many breakfasts we shared. Moments like those make the boarding experience unique, and I hope the current generation of students enjoy similar mentorship.”

—Peter Baron ’91

“Hoopes and I worked together to rally the Class of 1993 to reunions and to support the school. He has become a dear friend and is such a stellar guy. I will miss him but hope he will still make appearances at our Reunion, and hopefully will run into him when I am traveling.”

—Elizabeth Traverso ’93

“Hoopes was one of the ‘cool’ teachers. He, at the time, was the quintessential mad professor: Dumbledore (without the magic or stature). His long white beard stained yellow-brown from his curved pipe, which rarely left his mouth, the tweed sport coat with leather patches on the elbows. His enigmatic past and hermitic present gave him an air of mystery that was fascinating to me. A month or so before spring break of my sophomore year (circa 1980) he called me into his classroom and handed me a pamphlet he had just pulled out of a stack of mail, and said, half joking, “You want to sail to the Bahamas?” I, of course, said yes. I was able to round up enough students to charter two boats; one with a captain and one with Matt (really me) as skipper. We stuffed his Range Rover full of food and gear and headed to Ft. Lauderdale (30 hours, stopping only for gas). We sailed/motored from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami. We were bound for Bimini, which does not have a lighted harbor, so one had to arrive during daylight. This meant leaving Biscayne Bay at 2 a.m. and sailing through the night. I followed the lights of the other boat all night. We were greeted at dawn by a pod of porpoises who escorted us to the narrow passage into Bimini. It was an unforgettable adventure.” —Bill

Esty ’81

Hoopla

BY MATTHIEU HOOPES

“Many of us who attended or taught in boarding schools 40 to 50 years ago fondly recall faculties that were blessed with colorful eccentrics. Part of the charm—and I would suggest the effectiveness—of these schools was that such teachers imparted wisdom in their mere presence that exceeded the value that their classroom teaching might impart. Such a teacher at Brewster was Matt Hoopes. Style and substance made him memorable: Arrival in the morning from his Tuftonboro retreat in his forest green Toyota Land Cruiser (vanity plate: “Oopes”), breakfast with students at The Estabrook (always apple slices with peanut butter), English 10 classes (grammar lessons and lit crit), then afternoons photographing Bobcat athletic contests, journalistic enterprises, and evening judicial council hearings (Matt was a long-time chair) were all important, but perhaps more so was Matt’s devotion outside of school to Brewster students. For years he invited Bobcats to his northern Maine island, Guvspuny. For years he has served as an indefatigable correspondent to a generation of alums. And while his handwritten notes are not always legible, his sincere interest in the lives of Brewster grads rings crystal clear. He’s in the Bobcat Hall of Fame for sure! —G.

Cyrus Cook, former English faculty, 1977-1982

“I was never a writer. I’m still not a writer and I’m pretty sure I never will be. Somehow, with his persuasive scholarly powers, Hoopes convinced me to become co-editor of The Brewster Browser. Anyone who has worked on a school newspaper knows that being the editor means that you write 60 to 100 percent of the articles in each issue. If only he had used his powers for good.” —Tom

Esty ’82

Alas, eventually, all good things must come to an end. This will be the last of many columns in which I interviewed and highlighted alumni with interesting careers, hobbies, and unusual adventures. And those who have been receiving my hand-written postcards for the last 26 years, pleading for class notes, will no longer have to spend hours trying to decipher my flowing penmanship.

I’ve enjoyed being part of Brewster and watching the school grow from the 118 students and 15 faculty members it had on my arrival in 1975 to the amazing school it has become today. I’ve loved my alumni job as it has allowed me to stay in touch with the students I taught in English 10; those I rallied to meet deadlines for The Winnipesaukean, The Browser, and Outcroppings; and those I took notes for as they debated issues for the Student Council and dealt with the difficult cases of the Student Court.

With nearly 50 years at Brewster—and at age 82—I still need time to write the Great Bahamian novel. But I’ll continue to manage my nonprofit, The Islesmon Camaraderie Foundation, which raises funds to help Bahamian students attend Brewster. (We’ve sent three so far, and hopefully more in the future!) Those interested in learning more about the nonprofit or simply touching base can email me at matthieu@hoopes.com.

Now alumni can send me postcards to Box 189, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, The Bahamas. And any alums vacationing on Eleuthera, please stop by my place: I’m in the pink house with two towers on Honeycreeper Lane, Rainbow Bay.

Best wishes to all,

Hoopes