Fall 2023 Magazine by Brimmer and May School

M A G A Z I N E

IT’S THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER

04 | History and Journalism Teacher David Cutler ’02 reflects on the caliber of our educators and their impact on student outcomes 14 | Meet the Brimmer alums who make our community home

40 | Faculty Innovation Awards elevate teaching and learning

73 | Annual Giving Report highlights generous community support

FALL 2023

Co-Editors Sue Cuyler Director of Marketing & Communications Nicky DeCesare Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Editorial Counsel Judith Guild Head of School

Contributing Writers David Cutler ’02 Sue Cuyler Nicky DeCesare Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 Frances Fremont-Smith ’75 Judith Guild Courtney McGillicuddy ’89 Elizabeth Smith P ’17 Eric Smith ’99, P ’35 Bradley Starr

Photography David Barron Oxygen Group Nicky DeCesare

Graphic Design blazar design studio

Alumni Affairs & Development Office Elizabeth Smith P ’17 Director of Development Sharin Russell Director of Annual Giving Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events

Quinn Nielsen ’23 and Nico Jaffer ’23 celebrate Commencement in the spring.

Connect with us Twitter: @BrimmerandMay | Instagram: @BrimmerandMaySchool Facebook: @BrimmerandMay & @BrimmerandMayAlumni LinkedIn: Brimmer and May | YouTube: Brimmer and May School

Mark Sehnert Advancement Associate

On the Cover: Upper School History and Journalism Teacher David Cutler ’02 captures a selfie with his colleagues (L-R) Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley, Head of School Judy Guild, Dean of Students Paul Murray P ’23, Science Department Chair Cecelia Pan P ’16, Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell, and Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06. Photo Credit: Nicky DeCesare

© 2023 Brimmer and May School. All rights reserved. Published by Brimmer and May School, 69 Middlesex Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (tel) 617-566-7462 | www.brimmer.org | Please send change of address to Mark Sehnert: msehnert@brimmer.org

IN THIS ISSUE

Table of Contents Features 04 |

IT’S THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER History and Journalism Teacher David Cutler ’02 reflects on the caliber of our educators and their impact on student outcomes.

14 |

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR ALUMNI COLLEAGUES Meet the Brimmer alums who make our community home.

20 Annual Report 74 |

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

76 |

ANNUAL GIVING REPORT

77 |

BRIMMER BY THE NUMBERS

78 |

OUR COMMITTED DONORS

Alumni Happenings 14 |

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR ALUMNI COLLEAGUES

58 |

CLASS NOTES

64 |

SUMMER SHINDIG

68 |

ALUMNI DAY 2023

66 Around Campus

02 |

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

20 |

GRADE 8 CELEBRATION

21 |

LOWER SCHOOL CLOSING EXERCISES

22 |

GETTING CREATIVE

39 |

NEW BOARD CHAIR

40 |

FACULTY INNOVATION AWARDS

42 |

ATHLETICS

48 |

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

52 |

COMMENCEMENT

62 |

BRIMMER READS

66 |

SPRING CARNIVAL

70 |

RETIREMENTS Brimmer Magazine Fall 2023

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

the art and science of teaching A letter from Judith Guild

cquiring and maintaining an excellent faculty and staff is one of the most important roles of a head of school. While hiring is an important first step, properly onboarding and training new employees to uphold the School’s mission and practices is an ongoing and equally important process. Employing faculty and staff members who once attended our School helps the entire community retain and adhere to the important and often subtle tenets of a Brimmer education and sustains the unique and dynamic environment essential for learning. In this issue of Brimmer Magazine, you will read about the influence our faculty and staff, who were once Brimmer students themselves, have on the fabric of our community and its culture and climate. How we interact with students, the positive

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nature and importance of relationships, the special way curriculum is made relevant and interactive, and the value placed on our Core Values are often so subtle they are hard to teach and instill in others. To be successful, we use a team approach, and our alumni faculty and staff help us in this effort. Experienced educators know that teaching is both an art and a science, and when done right, is a dynamic and fulfilling profession. School life requires a constant commitment to learning

Top Left: Speaking at our Grade 8 Celebration last spring (see page 20); Bottom Left: Meeting with Middle School students in the Library Learning Commons; Above: Upper School Science Teacher Zoë Stublarec assists a student with a dissection in her Neuropsychology class.

and selecting content, honing instructional practices that reach a variety of learners, and upholding standards of behavior and good character despite external pressures. There are always external pressures; most recently, the pandemic tested our profession. Our faculty and staff stood strong and prevailed despite the pandemic’s daily pressures because of their deep commitment to young people and their love for teaching. When I think of Brimmer’s faculty and staff, I am reminded of the words of author and educator Robert Fried, when he writes in The Passionate Teacher, “To be a passionate teacher is to be someone in love with a field of knowledge, deeply stirred by issues and ideas that challenge our world, drawn to the dilemmas and potentials of the young people who come into class each day—or captivated by all of these.” In this issue, you

will read how our alumni faculty’s Brimmer role models ignited their passion to teach. I find tremendous joy in watching a teacher interact with a student. As simple as that may sound, it is profoundly inspiring when imaginations are ignited, when questions are explored, and when work becomes a creation. To this end, our faculty and staff will explore a new theme this year that will help amplify the artful side of our profession. The theme Imagine. Question. Create. will help lead us through the year, and I am excited to see how this might impact our classrooms and programs. I hope as you read Brimmer Magazine, you will sense the power found in the interactions between students and their teachers and feel the impact our faculty members have on the art of teaching. ■ Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

FACULTY REFLECTION

IT’S THE

People WHO Matter

Reflecting on the caliber of our educators and their impact on student outcomes. By David Cutler ’02, Upper School History and Journalism, Advisor to The Gator

hirty years after he first set foot on campus as a fourth grader in 1993, David Cutler ’02 still feels a deep sense of wonder and gratitude. Over the past decade, he has been privileged to work alongside many of his former teachers, who have now become his valued colleagues. In the School’s 2002 yearbook, my fellow seniors designated me as “Most Likely to Return to Brimmer and May as a History Teacher.”

At Top: From the archives (L-R): Head of School Judy Guild, Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06, Former Athletic Director Jeff Gates P ’13, ’13, ’15, ’15; Above: The author today (photo credit: David Degner) alongside his Lower School yearbook photo; Opposite page: From the archives (clockwise from left): Former Head of Lower School Thomas Fuller, Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley, Upper School History Teacher Ted Barker-Hook P ’23, Dean of Students Paul Murray P ’23, Science Department Chair Cecelia Pan P ’16, Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell.

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Their prediction was no frivolous guess; they confidently anticipated that outcome (spoiler alert: they were right). Amid the uncertainties of our collective unwritten futures, at least that much stood certain. My classmates anticipated not only the compelling attraction

that would draw me back, but also the transformative spark it would ignite within me—an unwavering commitment to pay it forward, sharing the knowledge, wisdom, and purpose that a fantastically talented group of educators had so graciously bestowed upon me. My teachers recognized my unique talents, addressing my needs with guidance and heartfelt support. Their impact continues to resonate, filling my heart with gratitude. When I returned to Brimmer as an educator in 2014, after spending six years teaching at an independent school in Miami, Florida, I basked in the tender warmth of homecoming. Now, I aspire to inspire and empower students, drawing upon the influence of my past teachers—many of whom became colleagues—during my cherished years in this

exceptional community. To fully grasp the deep significance my alma mater holds for me and understand how my time as a student here has shaped me, we must embark on a journey back in time.

showing me to my spot. “We’re going to have a great year, and we are so happy that you are here. From that moment, I felt reassured that I was seen and that I mattered—that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

On my first day of fourth grade, as the “new kid” at Brimmer and May, I remember how the sun’s warm and welcoming glow enveloped McCoy Hall. I fluttered between eager anticipation and high anxiety. Inside at the top stairs, I located my classroom nestled at the end of the corridor. A lively woman graced the doorway, her beaming smile greeting students; she sparkled in the light that flooded in from the windows behind her.

Nearly three decades later, that feeling continues to burn brightly within me, serving as a constant reminder of the powerful impact a caring educator can have on a student’s life, even through a simple welcome. Under Mrs. Russell’s loving guidance, I anticipated weekly quizzes with excitement, found myself immersed through diligent research in the rich intricacies of Japanese culture, and embraced the intellectual challenge of labeling all 50 states on an unmarked map.

“Welcome to Brimmer and May,” said my homeroom teacher Sharin Russell, before

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Long before global learning became an educational focus, Mrs. Russell had already embraced its core tenets. Without the Internet, she facilitated pen-pal exchanges to connect her students with counterparts from around the globe. In my young life, of all the people I had encountered up until that point, she held an unmatched ability to cultivate in me a profound appreciation for diversity in all

’’

This is what sets Brimmer apart: compassionate educators who meet students where they are...

its forms. I reminded Sharin of as much when I spoke with her recently about her transformative impact on me, not just as a student but also as an educator. She still radiates the same captivating glow. She possesses a rare quality

that makes students and colleagues feel completely at ease, as if they can confide in her without any concern of judgment or gossip (and they can). Even with the passage of time and her transition in 2001 from a full-time classroom teacher to the Director of Annual Giving, she effortlessly shares anecdotes of me as her student, as if it had occurred just yesterday rather than three decades ago. Sharin’s ability to understand who I was as a fourth grader remains unwavering even today, as does her understanding of me as I approach the age of 40. She effortlessly yet compassionately identifies something that I still grapple with to this day. “I have to admit,” Sharin says, “I distinctly recall talking with your mom about how our focus would always be on helping you understand that none of us can be perfect all the time.” I nod in agreement, as I share my own recollection of crying when I earned a B+ on one of her weekly quizzes, instead of my usual perfect score. “That’s when we focus on ‘how do I learn to be even-keeled about my emotions and get through it,’ and then say, ‘Okay, let’s learn from this and move on,’” Sharin tells me. “But I think your passion for things is what makes you an incredible person.” I blush at her sincere words. I’ve long since learned to deal with setbacks, though I still grapple with anxiety. True to her nature, Sharin pinpoints a silver lining in how my own struggles empower me to empathize with students’ needs. “No matter who we are, we seek recognition, aspire to be a guiding light, and yearn to feel valued,” she says, affirming my efforts to overhaul my 11th-grade U.S. History class with the same intention. Next year, I aim to help students see themselves in the curriculum—not just through scholarly

This page: Top: Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell in her earlier years teaching third and fourth grade; Bottom: David Cutler ’02 (front row, second from left) performs songs at the end of his 4th grade year. Opposite page: Top: Former Head of Lower School Thomas Fuller welcomes students to McCoy Hall on the first day of school in the early 2000s; Bottom: Former Athletic Director Jeff Gates P ’13, ’13, ’15, ’15 runs a Lower School PE class.

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textbook authors, but also through diverse and engaging sources that emphasize their importance in our American story. This is what sets Brimmer apart: compassionate educators who meet students where they are, cultivate their strengths, and support them in identifying and refining areas for growth. Thanks to Sharin, I would become a more confident fifth grader. On returning the next year, I can vividly recall Thomas Fuller—who would serve as Lower School Head until his retirement in 2019— greeting students at the door. Although we had never met before, he invited me in with an authoritative but soothing teacher’s voice, “Good morning, David Cutler. Welcome back to school.” I later found out that Mr. Fuller had meticulously reviewed our yearbook headshots to familiarize himself with our faces. Once again, I felt valued and seen, putting me more at ease on the first day of my last year in Lower School. My memories of my physical education teacher, Jeff Gates P ’13, ’13, ’15, ’15, remain equally warm and vivid. Not only was Jeff the Athletic Director until his retirement in 2022, but he also became a beloved mentor to me. His emphasis on the importance of thoughtfulness made a deep impression on my 11-year-old self. Clad in his signature polo T-shirt, athletic pants, and running shoes, Mr. Gates urged me to think about my actions before I threw, caught, dived, jumped, or ran. Faced with my minimal coordination, he displayed unwavering patience. He never allowed frustration to surface; instead, he calmly encouraged me to persist and always give my best honest effort, no matter the outcome. At our 20th high school reunion, my close friend and classmate Thomas Byrne ’02 echoed similar sentiments upon his induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. “I can’t think of a nicer man on the planet who put up with a lot of shenanigans that my friends and I created when we were here in high school. He’s just very supportive of all the teams, and he’s basically tireless…. I am happy for him to

be sailing off into retirement,” Tom said. During the summer, I catch up with Jeff and find myself swept up in a sea of memories spanning over three decades. In my mind, Jeff will forever remain a dynamo of energy; his unyielding vigor as an educator speaks to his steadfast commitment to fostering both healthy minds and bodies.

“I love sports and I love the kids,” Jeff says. “It’s all about loving what you do.” I share with Jeff how his distinctive skill in making movement fun has ignited my lifelong love for physical activity. Without

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his influence, I wouldn’t have succeeded in open mid-distance running events during my 20s. Moreover, I make it a point to actively move around my classroom, keeping students engaged and urging them to put forth their best effort. “Good coaches don’t sit still,” Jeff says. “They need to be active and involved.”

With gratitude to Jeff, I prioritize engagement and motivation as an assistant cross country coach. I strive to match the pace of my youthful runners despite our growing age gap, aiming to inspire them. However, as my 40th birthday nears, I plan to transition from foot racing to cycling to provide sustained supervision. As long as I maintain an active presence around my athletes, I am confident that Jeff would endorse this decision. This affection also radiates from Thomas. Even four years into retirement, he remains a faithful attendee at Commencement, a dedication upheld by many Brimmer educators past and present. In our summer

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meeting, I share that I aspire to emulate his dedication in my own teaching career. When I ask him why he keeps returning for graduation, he offers a touching and logical explanation: “Teaching can be likened to working on a Ford assembly line. Elementary school represents the beginning of the line, where we lay out the fundamental parts and develop the frame. As students progress through middle and upper school, we add the intricate details—the plush upholstery, the radio, speedometer, and other enhancements. Graduation signifies the end

Continuing a tradition that predates my time as an Upper School student here, before the start of each academic year, my colleagues and I establish connections with our students at Camp Wingate-Kirkland in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. There, we spend an overnight (or two for seniors) interacting with and valuing one another as unique individuals. Inspired by Thomas, I make it my goal at camp to learn the names of all my new students before returning home. Last fall, I

of this educational assembly line. Wouldn’t you want to see the finished product? To me, that’s the essence of it all.”

asked students to submit video recordings of their names and preferred pronouns to help me get them right.

Thomas embodies the quintessential Brimmer and May educator, going beyond considering our role as just a job. It is a vocation that deeply resonates, fostering a sustained commitment to the growth and development of students whom we care for wholeheartedly.

When reflecting on precision with names, my thoughts inevitably turn to Bill Jacob P ’06, who was my drama teacher beginning in Lower School. I cherished his clear, deep, and theatrical voice, along with his Robin Williams persona that reflected his

Current spread (left to right): At his 20th high school reunion, David gives a tour of his classroom to fellow members of the Class of ’02. (L-R): Gregory Gonzales, Meredith Fydenkevez, David Cutler, Thomas Howland, Michelle Borkin, Tory Stetson, and Thomas Byrne, and Runeko Lovell ’03; Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06 leads a Lower School Drama class in the Solarium in 2000; David Cutler ’02 performing as Fred Izumi in a production of Museaum with classmates Sam Kellogg ’03 (L) and Micah Sieber ’03 (R).

compassionate, larger-than-life personality. I learned from Mr. Jacob to take risks, to go big, and to be unafraid—no small feats given my small stature compared to my classmates, most of whom towered above me. In high school, I delved deeper into vocal expression in Bill’s Public Speaking course, the most pragmatically beneficial elective I’ve ever taken. I convey disappointment that the course was discontinued years ago. To my delight, he responds, “I’ve been tapped to help bring it back in some capacity.”

Bill’s enthusiasm for teaching remains as strong as ever, even as he has moved on to the role of Creative Arts Department Chair, with many of his teaching responsibilities now in the Upper School. To this day, he articulates our graduates’ names as they step onto the stage to receive their diplomas. His commitment to his craft and students is truly phenomenal—anyone who has seen one of Bill’s theatrical productions can attest to the exceptional quality and dedication that goes into each performance. As I support my students in the development and continued success of The Gator, Brimmer’s highly regarded online

newspaper, I find motivation in Bill’s approach. I insist on the highest standards for my journalism students. Accepting mediocrity as the norm is unacceptable; I do my best to encourage them repeatedly to strive for excellence. No matter the outcome, I hope my encouragement conveys the depth of my belief in their ability to excel. The Gator’s ongoing success in winning the nation’s most prestigious scholastic awards is a testament to the wisdom of learning from Bill’s example; I’m still learning from him.

Two years earlier, I had attended that very same camp, eager to spend time with my brother, a future college lacrosse athlete. However, my lack of athletic skills left me feeling out of place. Upon my return with Brimmer, my anxiety surged as my former camp counselors officiated a round-robin soccer tournament, with the entire Middle School divided into teams. Despite my limited athletic abilities, I was resolute in showcasing any progress I had made. Recognizing my determination, Mr. Murray provided the support I needed, enabling me

I feel similarly about Paul Murray P ’23, who served as my eighth-grade humanities teacher. Prior to the start of that year, the Middle School embarked on a bonding trip to Camp Cedar, a sleepaway sports camp in Casco, Maine. My classmates and I bunked with Mr. Murray, a new teacher who would later become the Upper School Dean of Students. His vast knowledge of sports, theater, history, and popular culture quickly endeared him to us. Later that year, he competed in Jeopardy! and triumphed during his first appearance, cementing his popularity. I still can’t help but smile at a framed photo of him posing with Alex Trebek in his office.

to excel briefly as a goalkeeper. For the first time in my life, I experienced a newfound confidence on the athletic field. However, I still had to work on my confidence in the classroom. During the spring, Mr. Murray stepped in once more to assist me in the “Big Dig,” a once popular tradition that divided the eighth graders into two groups to conceive unique cultures, each rich with art and detailed backstories. Eventually, Mr. Murray broke apart the “artifacts” and buried them outside near May Hall. Subsequently, our teams continued on page 10 Brimmer Magazine

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It’s the People Who Matter continued from page 9

excavated the site of the other group, which we were told had been undisturbed for a thousand years. We worked to assemble the unearthed artifacts, striving to decode the narratives of these simulated ancient civilizations. I worked hard to reassemble several paintings, which had seemingly been torn from their frames, but I remained unsure about whether I was proceeding correctly. “Am I on the right track?” I repeatedly asked Mr. Murray, who remained patient and steadfast with me. “Can you give me a hint? I want to be sure I am doing this correctly. Am I doing this correctly?” Understandably, he refrained from providing any guidance, which would have defeated the purpose of the exercise. But he always listened to me. “David, just do the best you can,” he said. “If it’s not perfect, that’s okay. Just keep moving forward.”

Current page (clockwise from top left): Dean of Students Paul Murray P ’23 teaching in the fall of 2001; Upper School History Teacher Ted Barker-Hook P ’23 welcomes students to the new school year in the fall of 2001; Teaching at Brimmer in 2007.

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Paul still frequently reminds me that the path to growth and progress is rarely, if ever, a straight one. This past June, we reminisced about my time as his student, and I seized the opportunity to express my overdue gratitude for his patience and faith in me— both as a student and now as a peer. He appreciates the sentiment, but he assures me it is unnecessary.

“At Camp Cedar, I was an ad hoc soccer coach for you at that moment because that’s what you needed,” Paul tells me, correctly observing that being anxious is simply a part of who some people are, and that it’s our role as educators to meet students where they are—and to really listen with empathy. “Just the simple act of listening lets kids and adults know that you care and that they’re being heard.

Listening is the single most ethical act one human can provide for another human. I’m glad to hear that you felt I could offer that for you when you needed it.” Even after all these years, Paul continues to support me. I frequent his office to discuss teaching methods, and his support and guidance have been crucial in helping me navigate my students’ needs, as our nation grapples with a surge in adolescent anxiety. I periodically remind my students that though my main role is as their teacher, I’m also here to listen to anything weighing on their minds. By doing so, I think I have fostered a deeper level of trust with students, enabling me to be a more effective teacher. Thanks to Paul, I also try to demonstrate to my students that I am human and prone to making mistakes. By acknowledging my own flaws, I hope to inspire my students to feel at ease learning from and confiding in me. “It’s so important as an educator to show vulnerability,” Paul tells me. “That also builds trust and helps students identify with you as a person.” Throughout high school, I continued to benefit from building trust with a remarkable team of educators. Together, they helped me find myself and reach my potential. At the beginning of high school, my parents transferred me to a nearby independent school. They valued Brimmer, but they thought I would benefit socially from a larger circle of friends. To this day, conveying the enormity of this error remains challenging, as I felt like a social outcast and experienced greater anxiety as a result. I’m unsure why I lingered for two years before transferring back. Perhaps it stemmed from a dogged inclination to see things through to their conclusion. It’s funny how the mind sometimes blocks out bad memories and experiences, for as much as I lovingly recall my final two years of high school at Brimmer, I remember almost nothing of my first two years at that other school. I returned to Brimmer having already taken American History, a course I now teach, and which remains an 11th-grade requirement. Fortunately, I had little choice but to enroll in Ted Barker-Hook’s Modern United States

Developing a Moral Compass My junior year, I took Judith Guild’s AP English Literature class. I had never met anyone so well-read or with such a profound grasp of the human condition. I can recall comparing Charles Dickens’s Hard Times with Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, two novels written by contemporaries and set during the peak of England’s Industrial Revolution, and I remember being captivated by A Good Man Is Hard to Find, a collection of stories by the celebrated Southern author Flannery O’Connor. Mrs. Guild’s engaging discussions and thought-provoking inquiries about the themes within literature, especially around the concepts of good, evil, and redemption, played an essential role in shaping my maturing understanding of morality. Now Head of School, Judy told me recently that good teaching “comes down to helping students develop a passion for lifelong learning, which we hope also guides them in developing a high-quality moral compass.” I am continually working to guide my students in discovering their own principles, and I encourage them to embrace discomfort, historical empathy, and the knowledge that a better understanding of the past can inform their own sense of right and wrong. I felt affirmed when Judy commented that I still possess the same moral compass she first saw in me as a student: “You aren’t willing to just go the easy route if you see that something is not right. You share your concern with others, and you do it respectfully.” Respectfully, she gives me too much credit for cultivating those qualities without reinforcement from educators like herself. When I ask if she remembers me as an anxious high school student, she pushes back: “You were earnest and eager to do what was right. That didn’t allow you to say, ‘Here’s my work,’ when you really hadn’t completed your work. I saw that thoroughness as proof, even if I asked for one page and you submitted five.” I strive to impart an equally strong sense of integrity to my students. With advances in Artificial Intelligence, it may be easier to cut corners, but I want my students to do the right thing, even though it may not always be the easiest path to take. Judy says it’s the secret to my success in advising [our student newspaper] The Gator. “You want to remain true to journalistic values and principles, but you also want to make sure you don’t cause harm. I count on that.” Head of School Judy Guild in her earlier years as an English teacher at Brimmer.

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History class, which, though not officially labeled as an AP course, held a reputation for rigor. Mr. Barker-Hook, who, rain or shine, always sported a leather bomber jacket with tan khaki pants, was both a teacher and a mentor to me. Nobody taught me more about clear and concise writing, or how to think analytically rather than skimming the surface. In his office, then located on the second floor of May Hall, he spent countless extra hours teaching me to revise my prose for clarity and concision.

After graduation, I fondly recall my father approaching Mr. Barker-Hook, jokingly telling him, “So, you’re the wise guy who made my son stay up late every night writing papers for your courses.” Not aware of my father’s humor (in all fairness, he can be difficult to read), Mr. Barker-Hook looked taken aback. “Me? I’m the wise guy,” Mr. Barker-Hook responded. “When I ask for five pages, your son submits 15 pages, sometimes more. I’m the guy who has to stay up late to grade after my family is asleep. It’s more like ‘poor me.’” Afterward, we all laughed and hugged. By the end of senior year, I knew I had improved as Mr. Barker-Hook attested in his year-end comment about me: “All year I tried to push David beyond my expectations, and he responded with energy and enthusiasm. Having had the chance to teach him for two years, I have seen his writing improve dramatically; both the sophistication of his analysis and the fluidity of his presentation have come a very long way.” Like Mr. Barker-Hook, my Algebra II and Precalculus teacher Nancy Bradley appreciated my unwavering determination. I didn’t progress as fast in math as I did in history and writing, but that didn’t stop me from seeking her out for extra help at every opportunity. “As the material grew more challenging, David put in more time,” Mrs. Bradley wrote in her comment about me that year. “I am

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impressed with the work that he has done over the past two years, and his dedication to doing his best at all times.” I didn’t always arrive at the correct answer, but I gained analytical clarity. I appreciated how Mrs. Bradley’s pushing to help me think logically also assisted me in my other subjects. In a very real sense, for as much as I struggled in it, math helped me become a better thinker—and thereby a more thoughtful person. When I recently reconnected with Nancy Bradley, she echoed the observation above from her experience as my math teacher. “I couldn’t give you a problem you wouldn’t be determined to do correctly,” Nancy tells me. “I think that’s something you had, innately. You weren’t going to give up, even if I said, ‘David put your pencil down.’” Math was my weakest subject in high school, but I tell Nancy that I could not have asked for a better, more patient and effective teacher. Often, it’s the humanities and creative arts teachers who receive praise for fostering a student’s voice and character, but Nancy deserves equal credit in this regard.

Top Left: Celebrating his 2002 Commencement with teacher and mentor Ted Barker-Hook P ’23 (center) and classmate David Kazis ’02 (L); Top Right: Science Department Chair Cecelia Pan P ’16 (L) working with former Science Teacher Janice Mulligan in 1997; At Left: Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley (L) teaches a Middle School student in the late ’90s.

Now as an educator, I recall her influence whenever I assist students grappling with a skill or concept; I strive to inspire them to articulate their thoughts as well, which fortifies character and self-initiative.

our shared wall. Our proximity also allows us to confer about best practices, and every week I ask Ted for some sort of advice; he has played a major role in helping me to think about overhauling my U.S. History class.

“You’ve always excelled at making your voice heard, and I loved it; I still do,” Nancy says.

When I was in high school, Ted sparked my deep-rooted passion for history and writing. I confess to him that without his mentorship, I wouldn’t have flourished as a history major at Brandeis University, risen to the position of news editor for my college paper, contributed to major media outlets, or felt the calling to mirror his career as a history teacher. I believe this is the highest compliment an educator can receive, and it’s one that Ted entirely deserves.

Reflecting on this trait during another frank discussion with Ted Barker-Hook, we recall the countless hours he devoted to refining my expression. I feel choked up, expressing to him that I would not be where I am today without his steadfast belief in my ability to improve. “I’ve found that one of the hardest things about teaching and coaching is knowing how hard you can push individual students— knowing when you need to back off and knowing when you need to throw some extra love their way, even though more work needs

’’

You’ve always excelled at making your voice heard, and I loved it; I still do,” Nancy says.

to be done,” Ted says. “And I think when I taught you—and I was still a young teacher then—I was trying to walk that line because you had so much promise and you were so clearly bright.” Envision my joy over the past decade as I’ve had the privilege of teaching adjacent to Ted’s classroom. I feel a soothing nostalgia whenever his deep, resonant voice permeates

Above: Kicking off the new school year at US Camp in September with (L-R) Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06, Upper School History Teacher Ted Barker-Hook P ’23, and Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley

Our School is blessed with excellent facilities that provide an environment conducive to learning. What isn’t immediately apparent—but is of far greater importance—is the caliber of the educators at our School. Their commitment to nurturing young minds, their expertise in their respective fields, and their passion for teaching are the cornerstones of our educational approach. These intangibles have a profound impact on student outcomes, and they make Brimmer and May a unique place of learning. My former science teacher Cecelia Pan P ’16 exemplifies this commitment. “I’m about to begin my 28th year here,” she says. “When people ask me why I have stayed on for so long, I always give the same answer: it’s because of the kids.” Indeed, I recall how Cecelia always went the extra mile for her students. She eagerly offered additional help before or after school, attended athletic competitions, student exhibitions, and performances, and willingly volunteered as a chaperone for field trips, especially those focused on science and outdoor exploration. She continues to engage in all these activities with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm. As we reflect on my time as her student, Cecelia recalls that even though I didn’t label myself as a “science kid,” I maintained a strong curiosity about the functioning of the world around me. As with my other

classes, I frequently wrote too much and even asked for additional readings to cement my understanding, including about Gregor Mendel, whose pioneering work on pea plants laid the foundation for our deeper understanding of genetic inheritance. Despite my greater interest in history and literature, I confess to Cecelia that her role as my science teacher left an indelible mark on my memory. It’s astonishing how much I still recall from her class. Her ability to connect with me, meet me where I am, and guide me toward progress speaks volumes about her patience, talent, and unwavering dedication. What sets Brimmer apart is that, despite her amazing qualities, Cecelia is not an outlier. Many faculty and staff members have dedicated, and continue to devote, their entire professional lives here. This fosters an unparalleled continuity and depth of knowledge, contributing to each student’s journey of learning. In my view, there is no finer educational institution than Brimmer and May School. I hope my own journey here, from student to educator, testifies to that conviction. ■

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spotlight on

Our Alumni Colleagues

In our cover story, “It’s the People Who Matter,” David Cutler ’02 shares his experience as an educator working alongside his former teachers (see pages 4-13). And he isn’t the only one to return to his alma mater to work. Meet the additional Brimmer alums who have made our community home.

Frances Fremont-Smith ’75

Middle & Upper School Mandarin, Co-Director of International Students Latin to my schedule in Middle School,

New England Tennis Hall of Fame). I joined the

in addition to French, and I found I loved

Varsity Tennis Team alongside classmate Leslie

languages. I would take Latin with Mrs.

(Stimmel) Guggiari ’73. Our coaches, Mrs. Jean

Stewart for the rest of my years at Brimmer. I

Buzzi and Miss Linda Moulton, encouraged us

took an independent study in Greek with Miss

to be the best that we could be, both on and off

Ives, but the language that I really wanted to

the court, and our slumber parties in the gym

study was Chinese. I would have to wait until

were always the highlight of the season. Both

I got to Connecticut College to begin what

sports and Glee Club were our lives in high

would become my passion.

school. I can remember playing the guitar on the subway, singing “Charlie on the MTA” with

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a Brimmer student? I went to Brimmer and May from grades 5-12 (1966-1975), and because I am still close friends with so many of my classmates, we often reminisce about that period in our lives. I loved my 6th grade teacher Miss Almy; she made me feel like Brimmer was family. My friends Amy and Durrie Durant ’75, Betsy Fitzgerald ’75, and I used to dance on the lawn behind McCoy (now the Lower School playground) to the tune of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim. Not sure what we were thinking, but we had a blast! I added

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I was also an avid tennis player, taking after my

the Durant twins to our conductor, whose name

mother in a small way (she was inducted into the

was Charlie!

ALUMNI

What is it about Brimmer that brought you back here in your career? I went to Connecticut College to pursue Chinese Language and Culture. During my study abroad in Hong Kong in 1978, I was fortunate to be traveling in China when diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China were announced. Three days later, I secured a job with the Foreign Experts Bureau to teach English in Northeastern China. I would be the first American after the Cultural Revolution to teach in the city of Changchun, and I was only 21! I found myself with 300 students, mostly older than me, and with no teaching experience. I modeled my teaching on my own Brimmer experience and introduced experiential learning to students who had only ever sat in their seats for their lessons. We put on plays and musicals, such as The Sound of Music, and it was during this production that I met my future husband, Lijun Jia. We lived and worked in China and Hong Kong for over 40 years. During a brief return to the U.S. in 1985, I received my Ed.M. from

Harvard Graduate School of Education and began teaching Mandarin, initiating the Chinese program at Milton Academy. After over 25 years of teaching, I shifted careers to the nonprofit world and ran two foundations in China; one focused on environmental protection and the other on healthcare. As I was considering moving back to the U.S., I learned that Brimmer was looking for a Mandarin teacher. I knew it was an opportunity to return to my roots and pass on my knowledge of Chinese and Chinese culture to future generations. I also wanted to get to know Brimmer as a coed environment, having only ever known it as an all-girls school. Brimmer is like one big family and returning to teach here, after living and working overseas for so long, was like coming home.

Opposite page: Faculty yearbook photo; at left with Varsity Field Hockey teammates. This page: clockwise from top left: at right during a 7th grade English class; yearbook tennis photo; Senior yearbook photo in 1975.

continued on page 16

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Our Alumni Colleagues continued from page 15

Courtney Mcgillicuddy ’89

Assistant Head of Lower School Associate Director of Lower School Admissions What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a Brimmer student? As I look back, so many memories come to mind: Green & White Days, Model UN, the Outlook Program, Senior Project, graduation, and a long list of teachers and friends. However, what really stands out for me are the opportunities we had to travel abroad and explore other cultures, customs, and history (currently known as Winterim). These Upper School trips not only allowed for unique learning experiences, but they also created lasting memories! In addition to an exceptional education, I learned to love learning and to trust that my teachers truly believed in me. My teachers were dedicated and passionate. They set high standards and expected me to work hard. They were masters of their subject areas, and they knew the most effective ways of teaching them. Most importantly, they knew the power of connecting with their students both inside and outside the classroom.

What is it about Brimmer that brought you back here in your career? The essence of the School remains the same. The very things that attracted me to Brimmer as a prospective student are also what brought me back as an educator. Brimmer is a close, supportive community where all members work to create an environment where students can meet their full potential, feel valued, and thrive. The opportunity to work among other alumnae and former teachers and administrators was so exciting and has been truly special. Now colleagues and dear friends, these community members continue to inspire me and serve as role models for me.

Clockwise from top left: Faculty yearbook photo; with Olivia Dyer Reyelt ’90; with Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 (see page 19) at a mutual friend’s wedding this summer; Senior yearbook photo in 1989; with Sara Godfrey ’90.

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BRADLEY STARR

Upper School Humanities & ESL Extended Day so I could spend more time with

community is. It is special to be in a place where

my friends, including Ed Hausman, who is still a

the students truly support each other. I believe

good friend to this day, almost 30 years later.

in progressive education and Brimmer’s mission to foster intellectual curiosity and creative

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a Brimmer student? My three brothers and I all attended Brimmer and May, and with an age range of nine years between my older brother Jason and my youngest brother Clay, there was a Starr boy at Brimmer for almost 25 consecutive years! It was a great experience going to school with my brothers, and I have many special memories from our time here as students. I remember

Returning to work at Brimmer has been special

expression, and I wanted to work in a school

in that many of my most cherished memories are

with a diverse student body committed to DEIB

with teachers who are now colleagues. I owe my

work. I love being in a school with such a strong

passion for performance and theater to Bill Jacob

arts program, especially the performing arts.

P ’06, and I have such fond memories of Lower

Something that excites me about embarking on

School drama classes with him. I still remember

a career at Brimmer is seeing the wide range

Diana Scharrer’s 5th and 6th grade French class,

of roles that my colleagues have taken on over

and her song to help us learn verb conjugations

the years, and I feel confident that this is a place

(-e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent again please!). Hali

where I will have the opportunity to grow as an

Hellmuth taught me and my three siblings in 3rd

educator. Brimmer’s atmosphere of collegiality

grade, and she became a dear family friend.

and support enables its teachers to experiment with and adapt curriculum, and I appreciate

What is it about Brimmer that brought you back here in your career? I am eternally grateful for the support and mentorship of Head of School Judy Guild.

how the School takes on and incorporates events of the world into its program. From direct and transparent communication about pandemic protocols during Morning Meetings to lunch meetings for students about the war in Ukraine, I

many Share periods with my buddies, and of

Over the course of my career in education,

course, going apple picking year after year. I

Judy has been extremely generous with her

not shirk from addressing these types of topics

loved the 2nd grade rainforest project with Ms.

time, expertise, and guidance. I was at a turning

but rather brings them deftly and respectfully into

Reyelt and coming to school in my toga in 6th

point in my career in the fall of 2021 when Judy

student life. Finally, I wanted to be in a school that

grade for our end-of-year Greek Symposium.

offered me a part-time position at Brimmer, and

provided touchpoints for genuine connection with

I remember asking my mom if I could go to

from the moment I returned to campus I knew

students. Going to France during Winterim 2023

this was where I wanted to be.

last spring was such a special experience, and I

Clockwise from top left: Faculty yearbook photo; Kindergarten name tag; the Starr brothers (L-R) Jason, Clay, Tyler, and Bradley.

am grateful to be in a school community that does

am already looking forward to Winterim 2025! I love how kind and warm the Brimmer

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Our Alumni Colleagues continued from page 17

ERIC SMITH ’99, P ’35 Facilities Team

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a Brimmer student? Coming to Brimmer in the 7th grade, from Boston Public Schools, I had to adjust to the smaller class size. Going from classes with over 30 kids to classes with 10, I can remember being really shy at first because I realized I

couldn’t hide. I still laugh at how my teachers got me to perform in a few plays. I would never have imagined that a school could pull me out of my shell, but Brimmer did. My mom chose Brimmer because she hoped it would be challenging and fun for me. I remember that the days were long because of sports! I remember getting home late from soccer or basketball and having to write a tenpage paper and staying up late to finish it. I have great memories of math class and finding the slope with Nancy Bradley, and all that fun we had dissecting frogs in Cecelia Pan’s Biology class!

What is it about Brimmer that brought you back here in your career? What brought me back to Brimmer was my friend [and Manager of Operations & Facilities] Tom Bray, who I have known since

my years as a Brimmer student. We crossed paths again at a time when I was ready to make a change in my career. As luck would have it, there was a job opening on Tom’s team. I knew I would enjoy being back on campus and bringing new life into my old routines. I quickly secured my commercial driver’s license (CDL), and I was immediately able to drive the student bus. It has been so much fun not only to drive but to help the coaches and players. Every day has been an opportunity to laugh with the kids, talk strategy, and offer tips on how to improve their games. I think the fact that I never lost touch with the Brimmer community contributed to me coming back. Over the years, I have been back to campus to play basketball in the gym and catch up with some of the faculty. I guess you could say that when you’re a Brimmer Gator, you’re one for life!

Clockwise from top left: Faculty yearbook photo; playing Varsity Basketball for Brimmer; receiving his diploma at his 1999 Commencement; celebrating Commencement with former receptionist Virginia Beech; catching up with Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley at an Alumni Day in the 2000s.

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AMANDA SPOONER EPPERS ’88, P ’22

Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a Brimmer student? I came to Brimmer in the 8th grade after transferring from public school. I didn’t particularly enjoy school until then, and I was really looking forward to an all-girls experience. I immediately loved the small class size, and I felt at ease in classes where previously I was shy and quiet. My teachers were smart and kind and truly cared about each student as an individual—exactly what I needed. Additionally, I loved being a member of Greenline and the smaller chamber group, Chamber Singers. Singing was my strong suit and an area where I truly excelled.

What is it about Brimmer that brought you back here in your career? Right after graduation, I worked for several years in the Admissions and Alumni Offices. My supervisors were Barbara Shoolman and Nancy Drourr—basically my two other mothers. Because I had grown up knowing them and their families, we had a very close bond. Barby was also my tutor for English and my advisor, so returning to work at a place with many familiar faces felt like a great jumping-off point for me. I returned to Brimmer again 17 years ago, working part-time in the Alumni and Development Office while raising my daughter Marlo ’22. I knew I had found my niche. As Director of Alumni Affairs, I have been able to get to know and work closely with alumni from the past six decades. It has also been a privilege to have my daughter be a “Lifer” at the School as she started in Grade 1, with my dear friend Courtney McGillicuddy ’89 as her head teacher (see page 16). Even though Marlo had a different Brimmer experience than I did, as the school was coed by then and with larger class sizes, we both agree that Brimmer’s core learning and values have remained the same. It continues to be a pleasure working for and with my former English teacher, Judy Guild, and I love that we have been close for almost 40 years!

Clockwise from top left: Faculty yearbook photo; Senior yearbook photo in 1988; playing Varsity Tennis; playing Varsity Field Hockey; returning to work at Brimmer in the Alumni & Development Office in 1993 (top row second from left); with Kate Berlandi Zinn ’88.

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Grade 8 Celebration

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MOVING UP

Lower School Closing Exercises

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GETTING CREATIVE

All School Celebration of the Arts

Brimmer’s Creative Arts Team orchestrated a fantastic All School Celebration of the Arts this spring. Artwork created by students in grades PK-Grade 12 was exhibited throughout the Chase and Hastings buildings. At the opening, families were invited to escort their young artists to view works of art from all grades, enjoy an Artwork Treasure Hunt, and take part in hands-on art activities. The event concluded with an outstanding performance of the Middle School Musical, Matilda, Jr. (see pages 26-27).

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GETTING CREATIVE

Grades 4 & 5 Musical

The 4th and 5th Grade Musical remains a beloved Lower School tradition, and our students wowed the audience with their humor, singing, dancing, and enthusiasm in their production of Press Start! Head of Lower School Kimberly Formisano shared, “I am consistently impressed by the Creative Arts team and what they do with the students, and Press Start! was no exception. From the costumes to the music to the theatrical performances, it was outstanding!”

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GETTING CREATIVE

Middle School Musical

Magic and mischief took center stage in our Middle School production of Matilda, Jr.! Congratulations to the cast and crew on a fantastic show, which included a sold-out performance on the night of our All School Celebration of the Arts!

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GETTING CREATIVE

Upper School Musical Upper School performers [took to] the stage to share the captivating story of Something Rotten! Created by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten! is a comedic musical filled with reversals that showcases how one of Shakespeare’s most renowned works, Hamlet, came to be. “This year, we [had] a really strong influx of new students. It feels like a new era,” said Director Bill Jacob. —Cathy Wu, Executive Editor, The Gator

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GETTING CREATIVE

e celebrated Brimmer’s 20th Academy Awards in the spring, an annual celebration of our students’ contributions to the performing and visual arts programs throughout

the year. Following a festive reception and an outstanding fashion show featuring designs from our Upper School students in Kathryn Lee’s Fashion Design I and II, Academy Award hosts Haripriya Mallidi ’23 and Alison Rimas ’23 took the stage, delighting the audience with their energy, humor, and charisma. The Upper School Instrumental Ensemble, led by Middle and Upper School Instrumental Music Teacher Alex Ostergard, provided upbeat and lively interludes as student, faculty, and alumni presenters handed out awards. Awards were given to Middle and Upper School artists for their outstanding contributions onstage and behind the scenes in our plays and musicals, for their vocal and instrumental efforts in our ensembles, and for their commitment and developing talent in our visual arts classes. Special congratulations to Marlie Kass ’23 for her Lifetime Achievement Award. Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06 also acknowledged this year’s Alumni Creative Arts Hall of Fame inductee, the cast of the 2003 production of Anything Goes, which was formally honored at this year’s Alumni Day Celebration (see pages 68-69). Mr. Jacob reminded our students that we very well could be honoring the magic they create in the arts at Brimmer today 20 years from now!

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GETTING CREATIVE

Middle & Upper School Spring Concert

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GETTING CREATIVE

Lower School Spring Concert

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sisal award-winning artists The following students were recognized in the 2023 SISAL (Small Independent School Art League) Competition:

Ady Jaeckel 1st Place, US Jewelry

Deven Mak 2nd Place, MS Painting 36

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Noah Panto Honorable Mention, US Wheel Ceramics

Keira Aslam 3rd Place, MS Drawing

Edan Zinn 2nd Place, US Digital Photography

Zoey Zhang Honorable Mention, US Darkroom Photography

Libby Barker-Hook 2nd Place, US Painting Brimmer Magazine

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Aryaa Mutha Honorable Mention, US Sculpture

Madeline Hsiao 3rd Place, US Printmaking 38

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Sydney Heff Honorable Mention, US Handbuilt Ceramics

Merrin Lindenfelser Honorable Mention, MS Painting

NEW LEADERSHIP

chris chou P ’29, ’33 begins tenure as board chair

ffective this summer on July 1, 2023, current parent Chris Chou P ’29, ’33 began his work as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Brimmer and May School. After 11 years of outstanding service, David Kreisler P ’17, ’19, ’23 stepped down from the role of Chair of the Board on June 30, 2023. Under his leadership, the Board has advanced the work of two strategic plans, completed a capital campaign that resulted in the Hastings Center and Innovation Endowment, overseen the School’s pandemic response, and completed a Campus Master Plan, which maps out priorities for the future. David has agreed to continue his service on the Board and will remain as a member on several committees.

the Brimmer community, his valued business and real estate experience, and the strong relationships he has developed with the greater local community make him a great person to chair the Board, and we are excited for his leadership of the School in his new role. Chris recently remarked, “I’d like to thank David for his 11 years as Board Chair and his continued service to the Brimmer community. It is an honor to assume this role and to work with a group of devoted trustees who make Brimmer a priority in their lives. I am looking forward to collaborating with my fellow trustees, Judy Guild, and the entire Brimmer Administration to build upon all that has been accomplished.” Chris and Jessica are parents to Jacob (7th) and Emilia (3rd). The family has been at Brimmer since Jacob began PK in the fall of 2015. The Board of Trustees, together with the entire Brimmer community, would like to thank Chris for taking on this pivotal role. ■

Before taking on the role of Board Chair, Chris Chou served on Brimmer’s Board for three years and has been actively involved in the Development Committee, Governance Committee, and Facilities Committee. He and his wife Jessica have been Parent Co-Chairs of the Annual Fund for the past two years as well as buddy families to incoming parents and students and Admissions Open House tour guides. Chris’ enthusiasm and engagement within Brimmer Magazine

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INNOVATION AWARDS

our 2023 faculty

INNOVATION award winners O

ur Faculty Innovation Grants are funded by the Kirwan Smith Family and the Faculty Compensation and Teaching Excellence Fund and are awarded to faculty members based upon the ability to create a proposal for a teaching experience that transcends the normal school curriculum. These grants offer $6,000 for classroom materials and $6,000 stipends to compensate for planning time for curriculum development. “The ideas we received this year were strong, and we thank everyone who took the time to put together proposals over the summer,” said Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17. “We are grateful for our donors’ support as these grants allow us to pilot new ideas for our students across the entire School.” ■

Upper School MiniOne PCR/Gel Electrophoresis Systems Cecelia Pan P ’16, Science Department Chair This grant funds a MiniOne BioScience Classroom Kit that offers students a more hands-on approach and enhances the Upper School science experience in courses where biotechnology protocols and information are part of the curriculum, including Biology, AP Biology, and Biotechnology. These mini-kits contain both PCR and electrophoresis systems for teaching biotechnology labs in the classroom, allowing all students in a class to be involved in labs instead of being observers. Equipment that allows all students to directly participate can greatly improve the class experience for everyone, says Science Department Chair Cecelia Pan P ’16. “For example, Grade 9 Biology will use this equipment to do a simple gel electrophoresis where the DNA is precut,” Pan explains. “This lab investigates DNA fingerprinting and can now be done in small groups instead of as a demonstration. There will be enough gel electrophoresis apparatus where the students in AP Biology and Biotechnology can work individually or in groups of two.”

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Middle School The Spellbinding Power of Bookbinding Will Arndt, Middle School English Christie DeNizio, Middle and Upper School Art “In our increasingly digital age, there is a sense of urgency to keep pace with innovations and technology. The reasons for doing so are understandable. We hope as educators to prepare students for an unknown future, to provide them the essential skills they will need to succeed, and to minimize waste as ethical environmental citizens of the world,” says Middle School English Teacher Will Arndt. “However, I still love books—physical, tangible books,” he says. “Many studies have concluded that readers absorb more information when reading a physical rather than a digital text. The endeavor of this project is to go beyond merely retaining information more effectively to fully appreciating how information is retained.” Together with Middle & Upper School Art Teacher Christie DeNizio, Arndt plans to offer bookbinding as a capstone interdisciplinary project for Grade 7 English and Art. To prepare them both for teaching the course, they attended a workshop over the summer at MassArt called Handmade Books, and they secured field trip opportunities with archivists and art departments at Boston College and Harvard University for students to visit their manuscript archives and rare book collections. Brimmer students will create hardcover notebooks in the fall and spend the rest of the school year filling the pages. “Just like Da Vinci’s notebooks and Darwin’s journals, these texts will become tangible chronicles of learning,” they note. ■

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ATHLETICS

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ATHLETICS

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ALUMNI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

ALUMNI

This year’s three inductees to the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame—1972 Varsity Field Hockey Team (at right, including (L-R) Sally Smart ’73, Linda Post ’73, Leslie Guggiari ’73, Amy Durant Solomon ’75, Durrie Durant Goldman ’75, Catherine Swift ’73, Jane Crocker ’73), Jane Crocker ’73 (bottom left), and AJ Reeves ’18 (bottom right)—were honored at this year’s Alumni Day Celebrations. Athletic Director Brett Kelly noted, “While all three inductees did some amazing things on the fields and courts, I was struck by how important the whole community was to all of their experiences, in spite of the 40 years between their time at Brimmer.”

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ATHLETICS

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WINTER AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

SPRING AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Kaylee Little ’23 Varsity Girls Basketball IGC All-Conference

Hadley Reardon ’27 Varsity Girls Lacrosse IGC All-Conference All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention Aaron MacLean ’28 Varsity Boys Tennis MBIL All-Conference Jun Han Audrey Be ’28 Varsity Girls Tennis IGC All-Conference

Toniangelique Golston ’23 Varsity Girls Basketball IGC All-Conference

Andre Mills ’24 Varsity I Boys Basketball NEPSAC-AA All Stars Bryce Ruglass Dortch ’24 Varsity I Boys Basketball NEPSAC-AA All Stars Ta’Quan (Tay) Williams ’23 Varsity I Boys Basketball NEPSAC-AA Honorable Mention Camron Thornton ’27 Varsity II Boys Basketball MBIL D2 All-Conference Owen Williams ’23 Varsity II Boys Basketball MBIL D2 All-Conference

Owen Williams ’23 Varsity Boys Lacrosse MBIL All-Conference

Libby Barker-Hook ’23 Varsity Softball IGC Softball All-Conference All-NEPSAC Kaylee Rivera ’25 Varsity Softball IGC All-Conference Zak Adler ’23 Varsity Baseball MBIL Baseball All-Conference All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention Julian Tague ’23 Varsity Baseball MBIL All-Conference

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SPRING AUCTION

THE GREAT OUTDOORS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION & AUCTION

t was wonderful to come together once again under the tent on the Brimmer field in April for cocktails, food trucks, a photo booth, dancing, and our silent and live auctions with auctioneer Bill Jacob P ’06. All proceeds from the auction support faculty professional development and financial aid. A huge thank-you goes out to our community for donating their time and talents and their unwavering support. ■

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Grade 5 | Based on the theme What is Strength of Character?, students analyzed book characters and historical figures while considering their own character traits, and they created a piece that collectively features their own positive traits.

PK | Students loved reading Jack and the Beanstalk, and to celebrate their own growth, both physically and creatively, the class designed a Jack and the Beanstalk growth chart using acrylic paints to create a handprint beanstalk and handprint clouds.

Auction Item Highlights Beautiful Lower School Classroom Creations

Grade 4 | Students studied the Japanese pop culture movement known as the Kawaii aesthetic, or cuteness culture, and compiled and designed Kawaii-inspired images of their most favorite things into a beautiful work of art.

Grade 3 | In their studies of Africa, students learned about Adinkra, a printed or stamped traditional cloth made by the Ashanti people in Ghana, and each student designed and carved a symbol that they stamped onto a collaboratively designed tablecloth.

Kindergarten | After “traveling” to all seven continents and taking a close look at the different cultures, countries, landforms, and animals, each student drew a unique animal to decorate a beautiful handcrafted wooden chair.

Grade 2 | Inspired by the story The Umbrella by Jan Brett, students created illustrations of rainforest animals gathered in an umbrella made of leaves.

Grade 1 | Students created a whimsical flock of cut paper birds. Brimmer Magazine

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COMMENCEMENT

celebrating the class of 2023

Paola Mammano ’20 and family approach the diploma station Brimmer Magazine

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ONWARD…THEIR JOURNEY CONTINUES Babson College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Bard College

Roger Williams University

Bates College

Savannah College of

Boston University

Art and Design

Brandeis University

Smith College

Connecticut College

Springfield College

Elms College

Suffolk University

Emmanuel College

Temple University

Endicott College

The Citadel

George Washington University

UMass Amherst

Johnson & Wales University

UMass Boston

Lafayette College

University of Chicago

Lehigh University

University of Kentucky

Merrimack College

University of Miami

Middlebury College

University of Rochester

Mount Holyoke College

Vassar College

Northeastern University

Villanova University

Pennsylvania State University

Williams College

Post University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Princeton University

Yale University

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Class Notes

ALUMNI

(L-R) Administrative Assistant to Middle and Upper School Heads Mary Gates with Nicole Gates ’13, Heather Gates ’13, and Kevin Gates ’15 at Alumni Day 2023. For more photos, see pages 68-69.

1950

1967

“I’m considering a move back to New England from California. We’ve had more snow than you have!”

1954

“Happily retired in the Great North Woods of NH after living in St. Louis for 37 years. Our two daughters and grandchildren live in Boston, and we see them often. Enjoyed attending our class reunion last year—55 years!”

“Our second great-granddaughter was born in March!”

1975

1965

“Frances Fremont-Smith ’75 told us about her trip to D.C. this week with her kids, and Amy made plans with her to meet at the Kennedy Center tonight for dinner at the KC Cafe and to see the show Shear Madness.

Constance Huebner

Joey Saxe Wechsler

Barbara Chandler “Now living in Saratoga Springs, NY, and see Diana Clark Crookes often.”

Elizabeth (Lisa) Jones Teczar

Durrie Durant

(L-R) Durrie Durant ’75, Frances Fremont-Smith ’75, and Amy Durant ’75 met this summer in Washington, D.C.

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I came down and surprised Fran tonight! What a wonderful night....and the show was fantastic!”

1980

Robin Dublin “RETIREMENT! My last day of fulltime work was April 28, 2023. What a trip this career has been! To the wonderful organizations and people that I have had the pleasure to work with: THANK YOU! This includes Gunstock, NH 4-H Camp, Stone Environmental School, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, New Horizons, Okemo Mountain, Dynamy, Cedars Academy, Lake Region Conservation Trust, UAA Alaska Wilderness Studies, Alaska Pacific University, Charter North, REI Anchorage, Alaska Department of Fish and Game/Division of Wildlife Conservation, Casey Trees, Columbia University Center for Research and Conservation, Resourceful Results (consulting), Duke Farm Foundation, the Greenbelt Conservancy, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation/ Greenbelt Park, Alaska Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE= UAF SFOS/Alaska Ocean Observing System/Alaska Sea Grant/Alaska Sealife Center/UAF Center for Cross-Cultural Studies), Alaska Botanical Garden, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game/ Division of Subsistence. Eclectic, impactful, and always connected to conservation, education, community, and/or outdoor adventure. What next?”

ALUMNI

1989

Rebecca Yood “Sad news. My father, Herbert Yood, passed away at the age of 84 in September 2022. I’ve lived in Lynn, MA, since September 2006. I’d really like to see what my classmates are up to now.”

2012

Victoria Foster Victoria is currently working at the Museum of Fine Arts as their Design Department Coordinator.

2013

Emily Gaylord “I received the Yawkey Award for Teaching Excellence for the 2021 school year. And I am recently engaged as of February 2023!”

2014

Tayler Stander Tayler recently graduated from Wake Forest University’s Physician Assistant Program. “I am so proud to announce that I’ll be working as a Pulmonary PA at a Cystic Fibrosis clinic in Boston. It means so much to me to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible patient population. I sincerely cannot wait for what comes next!”

Tayler Stander ’14 (R) graduating from Wake Forest University this spring.

Members of the Class of 2013 gathered at Alumni Day in May. (Front L-R) Madeline Guevara ’13, Nicole Gates ’13, Benji Alford ’13, and Caroline Weber ’13. (Back L-R) Jeremy Guevara ’13, Heather Gates ’13, Raymond Ma ’13, Jake Fay ’13, Max Horvath ’13, and KJ Baptiste ’13.

2015

Genevieve Lefevre “I moved! Officially a cast member at Disneyland Paris. L’aventure commence…”

Genevieve Lefevre ’15 at Disneyland Paris (above) and catching up with cousin Ben Ernest ’19 (at left), who was travelling in Europe this past summer.

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ALUMNI

Class Notes cont’d Elizabeth Leeder Elizabeth received a 2023 Emerging Teacher Nomination from Woodmont Middle School (WMS), which shared the following: “Ms. Leeder joined our team in 2020 as the STEAM Lab teacher. Since being at WMS, she has turned our STEAM Lab class into a comprehensive program that teaches students cross-curricular topics and skills with an authentic, hands-on approach. She is personable, collaborative, and adaptable, just some of the qualities she exudes that make her outstanding. Ms. Leeder is loved by students and her colleagues because of her personability. She builds rapport with students quickly, then she modifies and adjusts her lessons/projects to fit their needs, interests, and career aspirations. She has taught her students about architecture, graphic design, coding, and T-shirt printing with little prior knowledge. She did these things to support grants and school-wide projects like the Wildcat Disk Golf Course and school sports teams. She has been a part of several teacher-led committees. In addition, she started Technology Club alongside our Media Specialist.” Elizabeth was married to Elliott Bull of Greenville, SC, on July 1, 2023, at St. Patrick

Church in Natick, MA. Elliott works for Northwestern Mutual and is a 2020 graduate of Clemson University. Elizabeth’s sister Catherine ’20 was the maid of honor.

2017

Sam Ravina “I’m an Equity Research Associate at Wedbush Securities covering the biotechnology/therapeutics sector since November 2021. I need to wake up at 4:00 a.m. PST for the stock market! But my goodness the Bay Area is beautiful. Brimmer was good preparation for a job that is demanding on a lot of fronts, especially writing.”

2018

Sophie Lapat Sophie is currently working as a Business Development Representative at HubSpot.

Monica Morales “I just graduated from Northeastern with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering Management. I was able to get a three-month break between school and starting my full-time Process Engineering position at Amazon Robotics. In these three months, I have been travelling to San Francisco, the Caribbean, Montreal, Seattle,

Elizabeth Leeder ’15 wed Elliott Bull in Natick, MA, this past July. (L-R) Trustee Howard Leeder, Elizabeth Leeder ’15, Elliott Bull, Carla Leeder, and Catherine Leeder ’20.

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Monica Morales ’18 in Korea this past summer.

Seoul, South Korea, and Istanbul, Turkey. I am travelling with my brother, Hector ’15, and we chose Korea because I was able to go to China and Japan with Brimmer Winterim, and I fell in love with Asian culture! We focused on touring palaces (see photo), getting lost on foot exploring, and eating lots of Korean cuisine!”

Dylan Rigol Dylan graduated from High Point University this spring and will be attending graduate school at Oregon State in the fall. He is the Graduate Assistant for the Oregon State Men’s Basketball team.

Dylan Rigol ’18 at his graduation from High Point University this spring.

ALUMNI

Michelle Levinger ’19 graduating from Sarah Lawrence College this past spring.

2019

Michelle Levinger Michelle graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and will be moving on to an M.F.A. in Film Production at The American Film Institute in Los Angeles this fall.

2021

some of the best distance runners from across the country. Brian had more success at this meet in the two-mile, where he ran a personal best (9:00.48) and finished 13th in the nation. Brimmer Cross Country Coach Ted BarkerHook P ’23 was in attendance in the crowd, and he shared that “although [Brian] did not run in a Brimmer uniform, he was proud to represent the ‘Big Green Running Machine’ with the colors and message of the Brimmer warm-up shirt!” In July, Brian finished 10th in the nation at the USATF (USA Track & Field) U20 championships in the 1500m in Eugene, OR, with a time of 3:54.71. These impressive performances come on the heels of a standout final season at Brimmer, where he was named MBIL Most Valuable Runner, earned both Boston Globe and Boston Herald AllScholastic recognition, and won the NEPSAC Division IV Championship race for the second time. Brian also nabbed a first-place finish in the high school division of the B.A.A. Invitational Mile with a time of 4:27.83 over the Boston Marathon weekend in April. We can’t wait to continue to follow Brian’s journey as he matriculates to Yale University and joins the Bulldogs’ Cross Country and Track & Field teams this fall! ■

Alphonse Houndegla Currently a sophomore at Stanford University, Alphonse has a summer internship with Gemini Energy Solutions, a clean energy company founded by a Stanford alum and based in Washington, D.C.

Brian Gamble ’23 at the New Balance Nationals this summer in Philadelphia, PA.

IN MEMORIAM Roberta Ray Wurts ’42

Sylvia-Jane (Essjay) Wittemore Foulkrod ’43 Elizabeth Crosby Cloud ’46 Brenda Bradley Bisbee ’49 Ruth Sara Grossman Sidel ’50 Roberta (Bobbe) Forrest Jacobson ’55

Tristan Durocher Tristan successfully completed the IRONMAN 70.3 in Augusta, ME, this summer. He writes, “I’m so stoked to have gone on this journey with so many great people. Never would I have thought six months ago that I would cross the finish line after all the setbacks during training. All around an amazing experience and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could finish in 5:30:00.”

Wilma (Billie) Rosenfield Kagan ’57 Carolyn Staffier Thorne ’61 Marion (Polly) Smith Melson ’65 Jo-Ann (Edinburg) Pinkowitz ’66 Marjorie Ziman Nelson ’67

2023

Brian Gamble Brian has had an exciting summer on the track! At the New Balance Nationals in June in Philadelphia, Brian competed in the championship mile and two-mile races against

Tristan Durocher ’21 crosses the finish line of the IRONMAN 70.3 in Augusta, ME, this past July. Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

FACULTY & STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

brimmer reads & listens! Faculty and staff share the books and podcasts that sparked their imagination this summer!

This year in my class The

While this novel is frequently

Terrifying Other, we read

touted as a murder mystery,

this book that I had not

for me that was the least part

read in a while. The novel

of this engaging coming-of-

follows a family of “geeks”

age story about a young girl

who run a small travelling

raising and educating herself

circus. The children of

in the North Carolina salt

the family are all part of the side-show element of the circus. It’s a beautiful book with humor and tragedy in equal part. It is particularly thoughtful in its exploration of what we think normal means and how we all want to be unique even as we want to fit in to our society.

DEIB Picks

Kenley Smith Upper School English Teacher

Fall 2023

marsh. With a protagonist to root for, vibrant descriptions and connections to the natural world, complex human relationships, and a wonderful story about education, art, and beauty, Kya imagines, questions, and creates throughout this story. Joseph Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18 Assistant Head of Academic Affairs

his summer, our community DEIB work

LGBTQ+ community, socio-economic status (SES),

focused on resources (books, podcasts,

neurodiversity, and religion. Faculty and staff chose

documentaries, television shows) that address five

one topic of focus and picked one or more resources

important areas of equity and inclusion: race, the

within that topic to digest ahead of our opening meetings

Brimmer Magazine

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying working through archived episodes of John McWhorter’s podcast on language. Part linguistics primer and part cultural commentary, Lexicon Valley answers those questions you never thought to ask: Why do we dot our i’s? Why do we use the word “satisfying” to describe the sound made by Pop-its and ASMR? Why do people in old movies talk that way? Where is the name Ketanji from? McWhorter’s quirky sense of humor, his encyclopedic knowledge of etymology, and his uncanny ability to bring a show tune reference into every episode make it worth a listen. Eve Bould, Lower School Reading Specialist

I read this beautiful and moving novel

I almost bypassed this novel

in one sitting, which may be the reason

because it didn’t sound

it had such an effect on me. The friend

substantive, but since it was

who recommended it to me wrote,

on Barack Obama’s summer

“The author moves effortlessly across

reading list, I decided to read

time and perspectives while intricately

it. If you want an imaginative

and delicately braiding the narratives

story that asks what binds

together into a luminous tapestry.” That

families together, how

is my favorite kind of novel, so I dove

trauma can push a life in the

right in. I never expected to become so attached to each of the characters

wrong direction, and how the game of basketball can be

so quickly. The story will have you questioning and reflecting on family,

therapeutic, this book is for you. It is loosely based on Little

life, and love. The writing is gorgeous, and I found myself rereading

Women, and because it is set predominantly on the campus

passages multiple times.

of the University of Chicago, it also appealed to the school Sue Cuyler Director of Marketing & Communications

person in me. Elizabeth Smith P ’17 Director of Development

in late August (see sample of resources above). The intention

around us, particularly those with whom we do not share an

of this work is to inform professional practices as they relate to

identity, the better we will do as a community.

connecting with our students, our families, and each other. The more we understand about the lived experiences of those

Jessica Christian P ’33, ’35 Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ALUMNI

summer shindig

Leeza Gourinovitch ’14

e loved catching up with our young

alumni this past July in Boston at Trillium Brewing Company for the second annual Summer Shindig. We continue to be impressed with everything going on in the lives of our former students.

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

(L-R) Victoria Foster ’12, Ali Fisher ’12, Head of School Judy Guild

(L-R) Leeza Gourinovitch ’14, Kate Foster ’14, Victoria Foster ’12, Andrew Kassis ’15, Michael Rafferty ’14, Ali Fisher ’12 Front Row (L-R): Ali Fisher ’12, Leeza Gourinovitch ’14, Director of Enrollment Brian Beale, Head of School Judy Guild, Josh Finn ’15, Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell, Henry Ngo ’19, Dylan Rigol ’18, Elizabeth Picken ’17. Back Row (L-R): Kate Foster ’14, Miles Munkacy ’20, Victoria Foster ’12, Olivier Khorasani ’20, Michael Rafferty ’14, Chris Harrison ’19, Director of Alumni Affairs Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22, Andrew Kassis ’15, Upper School Math Teacher Peter Slaski, Director of STEAM Program Chris Hardman, Houghton Yonge ’14, Michael Hastings ’18, Grant Iuliano ’18, Advancement Associate Mark Sehnert

(L-R) Houghton Yonge ’14, Michael Hastings ’18, Dylan Rigol ’18, Grant Iuliano ’18, Henry Ngo ’19

North Shore Visit with 1945 Alumnae (Top L-R) Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17, Head of School Judy Guild, and Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 had a fantastic day in Essex, MA, visiting and having lunch with alums Doreen Davis Gove ’45 (bottom left) and Patricia Folts Director of STEAM Program Chris Hardman talks with Elizabeth Picken ’17

Dooley ’45 (bottom right).

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

Spring Carnival O

ur annual Spring Carnival in April

brought out the Brimmer community with carnival games, a petting zoo, a jumping castle, raffle prizes, and a BBQ hosted by Chef Craig and our fabulous kitchen staff. We also unveiled the name of our previously unnamed gator mascot. Following a school-wide naming contest in the spring, we welcomed Chomp to the Brimmer family! Many thanks to Owen Williams ’23 for taking part in the big reveal, and for his tireless dedication to bringing our mascot to life over the years. ■

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

HEADER GOES HERE MEET CHOMP!

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ALUMNI

alumni day 2023

Back Row (L-R): Daphne Cunliffe ’75, Linda Loukas Post ’73, Sally Smart ’73, Stephanie Kosmo ’73; Front Row (L-R): Joyce Jones ’73, Pam Fitzpatrick Olah ’73

(L-R): Shirley Jones ’75, Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76, Daphne Cunliffe ’75

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Luke Patton ’03, Sheera Bornstein ’03, and Sheera’s daughter

(L-R): Neel Kumar ’22, former student Constantine Kotsikonas ’22, Dieter Gartner ’22, James Wang ’22, Martin Maynard ’22

Alumni Creative Arts Hall of Fame inductee: the cast of the 2003 production of Anything Goes (L-R): Rachel Kenner ’05, Elizabeth DuMont ’06, Monica Niedermyer Lareau ’06, Rajuli Khetarpal Fahey ’03, Vanessa Sullivan ’03, Runeko Lovell ’03, Creative Arts Chair Bill Jacob P ’06, Tedd Lee ’03, Micah Sieber ’03, Edmund Howland ’08, Takuo Urushihara ’03, Luke Patton ’03

(L-R): Emily Rosenthal Moses ’85, her daughter Lia, Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

SAYING GOODBYE

director of counseling services beth meister retires after 40+ years person to turn the situation over to. Beth’s skillful ability and training have been a steady help for us at Brimmer, and children have benefitted from her kindness and expertise. With the ability to direct faculty on the development of a child, deescalate a hottempered preteen, make a fragile ego feel stronger, and provide a safe space for the most vulnerable, Dr. Beth reached out to Brimmer families no matter the day or hour to be sure they were getting the help they needed.

r. Beth Meister (or as the kids say: Dr. Beth) has been a pillar of strength at Brimmer for over 42 years, having started as a part-time counselor during her doctoral studies. At times during my career as both Associate Head and Head of School, I have asked for Beth’s help when a family or student was having significant difficulty. I always knew that Beth would never leave the side of a child or family in need. She worked the systems at the various hospitals until there was a bed, a place in a program, or a highly skilled

a little better each day. It is now time for Beth to take on more adventures of her own. I know she will continue to care for others and will find new ways to use her talents and skills. We wish her many days ahead filled with fun and self-focused fulfillment. —Judy Guild, Head of School

An intellect, a strong voice in the field of child and adolescent development, a friend to many, a support to members of our Mental Health Team, and an avid researcher for socialemotional programs that work, Beth leaves big shoes to fill. A woman of many talents, she rows, dives, travels, cares for her own family, and has been married to a wonderful man who enjoys their many adventures. She has been a pillar of strength for me, our families, our faculty, and most importantly, our students, and we thank her for her selfless commitment to making each person’s life just

Clockwise from top: Faculty yearbook photo; in her early days at Brimmer; with Lower School Art Teacher Joanne Clamage at the 2016 Brimmer Auction; working with Middle School students and the teambuilding program Grit ‘N Wit in 2021.

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

director of lower school admissions ellen foley retires W

e said goodbye to a valued colleague and administrator this past spring. During Ellen’s 13 years at Brimmer, she made a profound impact on our community and forged wonderful and lasting relationships. She has the ability to connect with just about anyone and has earned the trust and respect of countless Lower School families over the years. With a background in counseling, Ellen is an excellent listener and a wonderful storyteller, and she gives some of the best advice around. She has had an incredibly rich career—one that has taken her all over the world, and we are fortunate that she chose to end such a career here at Brimmer.

It has been a true honor to work alongside Ellen. I have learned so much from her and know that our office and this community are stronger because of her influence. We appreciate and will miss her wise counsel, the months of advanced notice and detailed instructions before any event, the handwritten notes of all kinds, the wonderful sense of humor, and above all else, the friendship. We congratulate her on a well-earned retirement and hope it is filled with adventurous travel, quality time with family and friends, extended time on the Cape, new hobbies and activities, and all the tea she can possibly drink. —Brian Beale P ’35, ’37 Director of Enrollment Management

patty poulin retires from head of school office I

t has been my privilege to work alongside Patty for almost two decades. She is kind, patient, and trustworthy, with high professional standards. She handled difficult phone calls, last-minute requests from trustees, changes in the workplace, and my demanding calendar with perfection. She was always two, if not five, steps ahead. Thanks to her exceptional ability to listen and reason, Patty may be one of the few people I know who can inquire, “Can I please ask what this call is about?” and get a real answer. I could always count on her accuracy, efficiency, support, and commitment to our School. She managed the daily demands of the

job without showing a flicker of frustration. Five years ago, I spoke about Patty at our annual Longevity staff meeting, and I referred to her as a sister, daughter, mother, wife, and friend who takes the most appealing qualities from each person in her life and illustrates them in her own. When we would talk about her father’s influence as a business-minded and disciplined person, I would see Patty; when we would reflect on our mothers and their strength and determination, I would see Patty; I could see her role as a sister to several siblings when she showed her flexibility, diplomacy, and good listening skills. And when we would talk about our children, we marveled

at their new ways of thinking about life, and we reminded each other how important it is to accept and embrace change. Patty always knew what I needed to do before I did. I know I speak for many Brimmer community members when I say that Patty was a pleasure to have as a colleague, and I thank her for all her hard work and dedication. We have all been lucky to have her. —Judy Guild, Head of School Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

Your Annual Fund Gift means the world to

Students & Faculty!

The 2023–2024 Annual Fund Last year our incredible community gave generously to ensure excellence for today’s students and for today’s need for flexibility. A $1.18 million Annual Fund allowed Brimmer to continue to deliver a top-notch PK-12 education while prioritizing physical education and athletics, performing arts, DEIB programming and curriculum, speakers, field trips and travel, and more. At every point during the school year, the Board of Trustees and Head of School were able to make critical funding decisions for everything from classroom materials to technology to professional development opportunities. Please continue to make the Annual Fund your philanthropic priority this year. Brimmer’s Annual Fund helps us to attract and retain the very best faculty through strong compensation and professional development offerings; create stateof-the-art classrooms; create a strong, diverse community of learners through financial aid; invest in new curriculum and DEIB initiatives; and offer a well-rounded blend of academics, wellness, arts, fitness, and athletics. It helps us keep our campus well maintained and beautiful, and it helps us plan as we advance Brimmer for the future. Every donation to the 2023-2024 Annual Fund is an investment in a Brimmer education and benefits each student and faculty member. Our dedicated parent, alumni, alumni parent, and faculty community work together for Brimmer each year. Thank you.

You make this possible!

Consider a gift today at brimmer.org/give

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Annual Report 2022–2023 Brimmer Magazine Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

message

from the head of school & the chair of the board of trustees Fund gifts, major gifts, endowments, and the Auction. The Annual Fund exceeded its goal, raising a total of $1,180,202, and The Great Outdoors Community Celebration & Auction in the spring netted over $95,000 for faculty professional development and financial aid. We are confident that our community will step up again this year as we continue to focus on our priorities. Brimmer has a rich 144-year history as a PK-12 school, where students are inspired to learn, encouraged to explore, and empowered to lead. Brimmer continues to provide a

s we begin the 2023-2024 school

Question. Create. This yearlong theme, along

year, we are excited to welcome new

with a continued focus on our School’s

and returning families to campus and look

Mission and Guiding Principles, will help

forward to another great year of learning,

us elevate our practices as our students

performing, and competing.

continue to regain the losses the pandemic atmosphere created. Additionally, we will

This past spring Brimmer Magazine featured

continue our commitment to diversity,

the theme A Winning Team, highlighting how

equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)

the combination of collaboration, teamwork,

with advancements at the Board level and

and camaraderie yield amazing results for

through our work in the classrooms and in

our students. As mentioned in the cover

professional development.

transformative educational experience for its students. We are keenly aware that the continued excellence of fulfilling Brimmer’s mission and the flexibility needed to serve today’s students are a direct result of the generosity of every single donor. Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

story of that issue, “We are a school that prides itself on its ability to be self-reflective,

We can’t wait to see what this year will bring

that believes in the strength of teamwork,

as we continue to work on the completion of

and knows that growth and change is part of

our Strategic Priorities 2020 & Beyond. So much

the journey. Teamwork has been an essential

progress has been made! None of this would

part of the School’s success.” This concept

be possible without the ongoing generosity of

of a winning team permeates the Brimmer

our community. During this past fiscal year

campus PK-12 and will be integral to the

alone, more than $3.8 million was donated to

implementation of this year’s theme: Imagine.

Brimmer and May through generous Annual

Judith Guild Head of School

David P. Kreisler President, Board of Trustees*

*Term completed June 2023. Please see page 39 welcoming new Board Chair Chris Chou P ’29, ’33.

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

message

from the co-chairs of the development committee (trustee) David Souza P ’26, ’30, and Joe and Katie Terino P ’24. This leadership group along with several other parent volunteers and the fundraising committee of the Alumni Board helped us surpass our goal of $1,000,000 with 73% parent participation and 100% Trustee and faculty and staff participation. This level of giving across the board is key as we reach out to foundations that appreciate demonstrated strength in the percentage of parent and alumni giving.

n behalf of the Development

Successful fundraising this year allowed Judy

Thank you for being an integral part of

Committee, we wish to thank you

Guild and the Board of Trustees flexibility to

the success story that is Brimmer and May.

for your generosity and support of the

say yes to more professional development for

Brimmer and May Annual Fund, which

the faculty, more updated technology, and

this year totaled $1.18 million!

physical plant updates over the summer.

With warmest wishes,

These opportunities plus continued focus on The Annual Fund bridges the gap between

DEIB educational materials and speakers

tuition dollars and the actual cost of an

helped the School to make continued

Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76

independent school education and is extremely

progress on our Strategic Priorities 2020 &

Trustee, Co-Chair of the Development

important in supporting Brimmer’s enduring

Beyond.

Committee

mission. We would like to extend our thanks to Your contributions help the School to attract

Director of Development Elizabeth Smith,

and retain incredibly dedicated and talented

Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell,

faculty and provide them with classrooms

and their dedicated parent volunteer team.

Lisa Hastings P ’18, ’18, ’19

equipped to meet the needs of today’s students.

Special thanks also to Annual Fund Parent

Trustee, Co-Chair of the Development

Annual Fund dollars also fund professional

Co-Chairs (trustee) Chris and Jessica

Committee

development, financial aid, and help ensure

Chou P ’29, ’33 and our leadership team

well-rounded arts and athletic programs.

of Panos and Sara Demeter P ’24, ’27, ’27,

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

annual

giving report

july 1, 2022–june 30, 2023

Annual Fund Unrestricted

$1,103,576

Named, Restricted, and Scholarship Funds

$76,626

For Athletics, Birthday Books, Creative Arts, Financial Aid, and other Restricted Current Use Funds

Special Funds

Capital and Major Gifts, Endowments, and Auction

$2,631,722

2022-2023 Total Annual Fund Raised: $1,180,202 2022-2023 Total Raised for Annual Fund, Endowments, and Special Funds Giving: $3,811,924

thank you

Brimmer and May maintains its high standards of excellence in large part because of the extraordinary generosity from the many individuals and organizations noted in the Annual Report. We are most grateful for your continued support. Giving Circles reflect all gifts to the School made between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who helped make phone calls and write notes on behalf of the 2022-2023 Annual Fund. Your time, effort, and enthusiasm helped us significantly surpass our Annual Fund goal, especially during the unexpected pandemic. This would not have been possible without your support.

Annual Fund Unrestricted, Named, Restricted, and Scholarship

Athletics, Birthday Books, Creative Arts, Financial Aid, General Restricted, STEAM, Albert Borkin, Nancy Drourr, Mary Jane Hoey, Barbara Shoolman, Al Simms, and Ruth Whalen.

Endowments and Special Funds, RTV Payments, Major Gifts, Auction, and Bequests For a complete list of endowments, please contact the Development Office.

Participation

Board of Trustees: 100%

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Faculty & Staff: 100%

Current Parents: 73%

Alumni: 11%

OF BOARD,

FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

100%

14 donors GAVE

$50,000

OR MORE TO BRIMMER IN FY ’23

3 signature

GRADES COMMITTED

TO DEIB WORK THROUGH A

diploma programs

globally focused curriculum

PLUS SCHOLAR SOCIETY

6:1 35%siblings

STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

80%

OF FACULTY

HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES

100%

OF STUDENTS

ARE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL-

OF STUDENTS

ARE

COURSES OFFERED

SPONSORED COMMUNITY SERVICE

Priceless

GIVING TO BRIMMER AND MAY AND SEEING HOW YOUR GIFT IMPACTS EVERYONE! Brimmer Magazine Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

thank you

to all of our dedicated and supportive donors!

All constituents are listed here by society, and current parents are also listed by class.

Giving Circles Head’s Circle ($50,000 + )

The Johanna K. and Jeffrey T. Black Foundation Cornelia M. Cook ’84 John Durocher and Suzzara Durocher Jon Grenzke and Elizabeth Kensinger Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73 Mark Hastings and Lisa Hastings Tom Knox and Kristin Knox Richard Mynahan and Jennifer Mynahan Garth Smith and Susan Kirwan David Souza and Tatyana Souza Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation Linda Shapiro Waintrup ’72 and Daniel Waintrup Gavin Wu and Yi Xing David Young and Michelle Mayer

Hastings Circle ($25,000 +)

The Estate of Elizabeth Forbes Codd ’41 The Helen Clay Frick Foundation Todd Hammer and Liz Hammer David Kreisler and Gwyn Williams Rob Lockhart and Helen Lockhart Patrick Taffe and Lisa Taffe

Chase Circle ($10,000 + )

Charles Altschul Anonymous Paul Bernon The Bolotnick Seaver Family Foundation The Cail Family Foundation Ge Chen and Wei Wei Liu Cherbec Advancement Foundation Chris Chou and Jessi Chou Samuel Chung and Katie Chung Carrie W. Farmer ’70 Joan Feeley Paul Gamble and Cindy Gamble Jeremy Gauld and Catalina Guillermety Sean Gavin and Jennifer Anne Gavin Yawen Geng Shomir Ghosh and Cathy McCarty Grabe Family Foundation, Inc. Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76 The Estate of Emily C. Hood ’49

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Farouc Jaffer and Kathy Economy Ed Jaramillo and Amy Wyss David Jennings and Jennifer Krebs Qi Jiang Gajen Kandiah and Lisanne Kandiah Bernie Kaplan and Faith Kaplan Alexander Kozhemiakin and Jennifer Kozhemiakin Xiaodong Li and Minchao Bu Jack Lull and Alexandra Lull Mark MacLean and Marsha MacLean Chris Malloy and Molly Malloy Michael McDonald and Kara McDonald The Nichols Trust Art Papas and Nicole Papas The Parents’ Association of Brimmer and May The Estate of Ruth E. Sonigan ’45 Robert Spalding and Sara Spalding John D. Spooner Joe Terino and Katie Terino Jeff Teschke and Chrissy Teschke William Thibeault and Annmarie Thibeault Wen Hui Zhu

Cummings Circle ($5,000 + )

Alex Aber and Livia Aber Steven Bearak and Michelle Bearak Carson Biederman and Susan MacPherson Alain Bourgeois and Jessica Bourgeois Charles E. & Charlotte T. Curry Foundation Hon. Suzanne Vitagliano DelVecchio ’60 Mark Dmytruk and Olena Dmytruk David Dykeman and Danielle Dykeman Jun Ge and Xiaolin Dai Allison Johnson Edward Johnson, IV Mark Landis and Mary Singleton Howard Leeder and Carla Leeder Bing Liu and Mei Leng Tony Liu and Sharon Wang Johnathan Mathiesen and Beth Mathiesen Tracey McCain Bill Morrison and Lynne Morrison The Mugar Foundation Jennifer E. Mugar ’88 Pamela Fitzpatrick Olah ’73 Andrew Pang and Samuel Pang Young Park and Anja Langbein-Park Weibin Peng and Wendy Wang Danny Pi and Jenny Chan

Cindy Reardon and Mark Reardon Leonard A. Rosen Steven Rosenberg and Pamela Rosenberg Alvin Shih and Wendy Shih Robert Sitkoff and Tamara Sitkoff Kevin Sun and Gabriel Han Elinor Epstein Svenson ’66 James Tague and Liza Tague Cynthia Brown Thaxter ’64 Philip Thompson and Nicola Thompson Nick Velastegui and Sophia Velastegui Hunter Woolley and Ann Woolley Howard Young and Brett Young

May Circle ($2,500 + )

John Allen and Betsy Allen Gareth Amaya Price and Lisa Amaya Price Paul Apen and Veronica Apen Hussam Batal and Arghavan Batal Alexander Bourgeois and Emily Anesta Meg Caven and Laura Warren Jeff Hesselbein and Amy Bland Christopher Hurst and Nicole Whisnant Hurst The Kass/Gilbert Family Bill Knott and Becky Knott John Lewis and Suzanne Sheirr Brad Mak and Brigitta Herzfeld Brian McSherry and Meg McSherry Mark Merolli and Ines Merolli Ben Mezrich and Tonya Mezrich David Myers and Heather Myers Adrian Priesol and Nurhan Torun Esther and Richard Salinsky Ronald Schafer and Anna Kuznetsova-Schafer Alexander Stangle and Caroline Stangle Stanley Szwartz and Jacqueline Washburn Joshua Tatelman and Tanja Tatelman Andrew Wilson and Lamya Shihabuddin Hong Zong and Chi Chen

Raja Elie Abdulnour and Julie Nijmeh Anonymous (3) Jonathan Bedard and Julie Bedard Ashley Bernon Danny Best and Condase Weekes-Best Damian Betebenner and Cigdem Betebenner Patrick Byrne and Joan Byrne Jessica Christian and Josh Weinger Raymond and Sheryl Comenzo Carol Tesone Croffy ’67 Nicholas Cross and Kelly Lindert Ross Elliott Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88 Emmanuel and Karine Ernest Henry and Niki Fayne The Feaster Family John Fitzgerald and Peggy St. Clair Keith Gainsboro and Laura Gainsboro Eric Gheewalla and Kathy Gheewalla Charlie Glassenberg and Abby Glassenberg David and Melissa Goldstone Bill Guild and Judy Guild Elisabeth Schneider Hall ’55 Laurie Hall Allan Heff and Francine Laden Julian Hickman Richard Hirschen and Marcy Hirschen Rusty and Betsy Kellogg Aaron and Lauren Lapat Miao Liu and Ting Huang John and Carolyn McGillicuddy Blaine McKee and Krista McKee Jordan Meranus and Evonne Meranus Josh Miller and Emily Miller Todd Morrison and Stephanie Morrison Elisabeth and Thomas Niedermeyer, Jr. Andy Pang and Cindy Leung Nihar Prasanna and Taz Kanji Beverly Purcell-Guerra ’62 Jim and Cathy Rafferty Daniel Rudoy and Melanie Rudoy Sharin Russell Henry Scarisbrick and Wendy Scarisbrick Yang Shao-Horn and Quinn Horn Drew Shimomura and Sarah Walters Yaguang Si and Dan Mu Elizabeth Smith and Rod Smith Sarkis and Linda Soukiasian Deon Stander and Peggy Stander Sherman H. Starr Family Foundation John Stefanon and Michael Gackstetter Robert Stroup and Elizabeth Coleman Helen Sulkowski Christopher Suraci and Laura Suraci John Tarbox and Melinda Tarbox Jay Wagner and Lainie Wagner George Washko and Diana Gallagher John and Judie Wyman

James Yfantopoulos ’18 Yi Zhou and Lijue Shen

Middlesex Circle ($500 + )

Pascal Aguirre and Irina Aguirre Anonymous Sally Eaton Arnold and Bruce Arnold Sunyoung Bae Vicky Ann Thoma Barrette ’61 Cynthia Blanco Adam Block and Rebecca Block Thomas Byrne ’02 Brian Canavan and Joan Canavan

The Class of 2023 Amy Coe and Carol Rohl Aubrey Conquergood and Peter Henderson Patricia Folts Dooley ’45 Bruno Drummond Kevin Dutt and Toni Hicks Peter Enyeart and Susan Enyeart Ray Fisman and Ellie Grossman David Frye and Emily Marvel Thomas Fuller and Beth Fuller Gail S. Gabriel ’71 and Donald Kaiser James Gammill and Susan Alexander William Gartner and Janette Gartner Peter Gordon and Wendy Gordon Jill Sommer Hatton Kathleen Jacobs David Kapson and Heather Kapson Nathalie Boileau and Ramin Khorasani Vincent Lee and Lily Lee Faye R. Levine Robert Levine Holly Malin Murray ’91 Scott McIsaac and Suzanne Durrell

Xiongbing Mou and Xiaowei Ma Craig and Jennifer Niemann Richard L. Pemberton Pledgeling Foundation Jennifer Perry Potter ’81 Roberta Prado Dana Robinson and Laurel Davis Matthew Selig and Catherine Annas Henry Spitzer ’06 Kathleen F. Thurmond Solomon Tsegai and Stella Rupia Seth Voss and Shannon Voss Zijian Zheng and Lingling Zhou Eric Zimmerman and Audrey Kalmus

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

McCoy Circle ($1,000 + )

Green and White Circle ($100 + )

Micah Adler and Rebecca Adler Denge Agola and Megan Agola Eve Alpern and Brenda Morris Anonymous (7) Eddy Avignon and Suze Berthold-Avignon Katharine Bachman Angela Baggett Mike Barnett and Sasha Yablonovsky Brian Beale and Shannon Beale Virginia Beech Carol Paisner Bello ’74 and Kenneth Bello Sandy Bland Jack B. Blumenfeld Moli Luo and Michelle Borkin ’02 Marina H. Bornhorst David and Byrna Bornstein Nancy and Peter Bradley Tom Bray and Patty Bray Gregory and Margie Breslin Judith Harmon Brezniak ’60 and David Brezniak Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Bright Funds Foundation Dianne Leavitt Brooks ’69 and Robert Brooks Marianne Brown Derek Burket and Mary Burket Courtney Camps Toomey ’04 Stefano Caprara Richard and Deborah Carnrike Gloria Cassey Jeffrey Castillo ’10 Barbara K. Chandler ’65 Paul Chang and Kara Deaver Chang Ron and Fu-mei Chen Bem Claiborne and Victoria Claiborne Chris Coburn Andrew Collins Kathleen Corkins Deisy Coronel Lino Covarrubias

’’

Holly Eaton ’09 Marilyn W. Edgerton Harron Ellenson Tom Engellenner and Carol Stolberg Ken and Patience Epstein Julie Eaton Ernst ’05 Leslie Fitzgerald Fallon ’66 Kelly Feeley Esther Feldberg Hanna Pastor Feldman ’11 Saverio and Beatrice Ferrara Vinny Ferrara and Diana Ferrara Evan Finnegan and Lulit Finnegan Greg Fisher and Daniela Aguel Stephen and Elizabeth Foley Kimberly Formisano Frances Fremont-Smith ’75 Abby N. Gaudette ’92

Brian Hurley and Christine Cignoli Katrina Iserman Akinobu Itoh and Naoko Itoh Joseph Iuliano and Jill Iuliano Anne Price Iverson ’61 Howard Jacobs Yuhong Jia and Lingsheng Dong Jake Jung and Suk Jun Kim Brian Kane and Julianna Schantz-Dunn Jeannette Kensinger Kazumi Kobayashi Joan E. Kolligian ’69 Stephanie Kosmo ’73 Jeremy and Reedy Kream Scott Kriss and Eden Kriss Hassanaly Ladha and Emily Holman Sophie Lapat ’18 Kathryn Lee and Brian Lee

Brimmer and May has played an important role in my family since my older sister joined the School in 1997. I was a student at Brimmer from fifth grade through twelfth grade, and those eight years were crucial in helping me develop the confidence and skills that have allowed me to flourish in my adult life. Brimmer taught me how to critically analyze problems, develop creative solutions, and argue those solutions succinctly and with confidence. Despite the many years since graduation, Brimmer remains important to me, and I stay involved through alumni events and giving to the Annual Fund. It is always a joy to hear about the new developments at the School and to know that current students and the next generation are learning those same skills and will one day enter the adult world with the tools they need to make a difference and thrive. —Holly Eaton ’09

Diana Clark Crookes ’65 David Cucchiara and Nicole Cariglia Sue Cuyler Belden H. Daniels Giselle Davis Nicole DeCesare Tenzin Dengkhim Harold Dennis and Elizabeth Gerlach Steve DePaola and Heather DePaola Shirley-Ann DePeiza Gail Devlin Moradi ’64 Patricia Foley Di Silvio, Ph.D. ’62 Tyrell Dortch and Shauna-Lee Ruglass Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Helen Du Aurilus Durand and Jermain Joseph Michael Dwyer Patrick and Janet Eastwood

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Gigi Georges Constance Abramson Golden ’61 Durrie Durant Golding ’75 Jane Brenner Goodband ’73 Doreen Davis Gove ’45 John Green and Sue Green Sara Green Mary Ellen Grossman ’65 Jason and Julia Hamilton Richard Harrison and Ann Braithwaite Margery E. Heins ’68 David Heller Maija Hinkle Richard Hodgson Steven Hoffman and Michelle Hoffman Max Horvath ’13 and Caroline Weber ’13 Kristen Howard and Ivy Krull Sam Hsiao and Amanda Hsiao

Nancy Biddle Lemcke ’50 Nick Leonard and Rebecca Leonard David Levenson Kenneth and Robin Levine Joseph Levinger and Elizabeth Murphy Niles Lindenfelser and Lauren Lindenfelser Elizabeth Howard Linzee ’43 Ahmed Mady and Abeer Bader Craig and Dorothy Mael David Mael ’05 Charity Majuru Elizabeth Reiber Marsette ’93 Dana Mathews ’92 David and Phyllis McDermott Elle McDermott ’16 Courtney McGillicuddy ’89 Beth Meister Steve Moore and Maria Walsh

Kim Woods and Stew Smith Li Xiao and Rongjun Zuo Christopher Yonge and Nancy Venti Yonge Xunqi Yu and Liyun Zhang Charles Yuan and Amanda Lei Melanie Zibit ’66 Prentice Zinn and Gabrielle Cobbs

Friends

Cassie Abodeely Lauren Abrams Benjamin Alford ’13 Peter J. Aloisi Anonymous Will Arndt Martha Catano Arroyoave Laurent Audoly and Olga Granaturova Ottolie Baggett Karl Baptiste, Jr. ’13 Ted Barker-Hook and Nanda Barker-Hook Josephine D. Barron ’80 Christopher Baugh and Keri Baugh Andrew Beal Todd Belanger and Maria Borejsza-Wysocka Karen Bernanke Brian Binkowski Nia Boutwell Joshua Bowman and Christina Perez Amy Carpenter Shana Pastor Carr ’04 Deb Castro and Fidel Castro Lina Chauhan-Klein ’00 Joanne Clamage and Marc Clamage Ben Clifford and Tricia Clifford Chloe Cochener ’19 Paul Cohen Louisa Pitt Connaughton Phoebe Cooper ’09 Georgia Crane Amanda Crater Parker Curtis David Cutler ’02 Olivia Damson Christie DeNizio Benjamin Diamond ’00 Irene Diamond Molly Tobin Diamond ’09 Craig Eastland and Juliet Eastland Halle Edwards-McQuilton ’12 Pauline Engel Beth Escobar Samantha Estrada ’20 Melany Ferrimy Blake Fitch Dan Fitzgerald and Rebecca Pacheco Quinn Fitzgerald ’07 Ellen Foley and Jack Murphy Marlo Frank ’22 Matt Gallon Dieter Gartner ’22

Heather Gates ’13 Kevin Gates ’15 Jeff Gates and Mary Gates Nicole Gates ’13 Shaun Gavin and Matty Del Valle Taran Gavrin Jaye Giglio ’12 Suzanne Gilfix Michael and Elizabeth Girioni Harry Glorikian and Katrina Menzigian Stephanie Golas and Brian Friedland Joan Matheson Goldberg ’61 Mirna Goldberger Larry Gordon and Jacquelyn Gordon Chris Hardman and Emily Hardman Claire Harrison Hali Hellmuth James Hill Linda Kozol Hiller ’64 Max Holman Lindsay Horbatuck Craig Horning and Melissa DePaul Alphonse Houndegla ’21 Rupa Houndegla Constance Ludcke Huebner ’50 Bill Jacob and Kerry Lynn Jacob Julia Jennings Kim Jones and Rachel Stroup Beverly A. Kahn Risa Kahn Brett Kelly Gemma Kevaney Deborah King ’72 Myra Korin Jana Korn Jen Kunkel Douglas Landaverde Michael Langlois Leon Latino and Gena Mavuli Peter Levenson Jaime Lin Marie Lindahl Mary Cooper Little ’59 Patricia Lopera John Louis and Sophya Williams-Louis Runeko Lovell ’03 Kyrell Luc ’21 Emily Luckett Mireille Manzella Kentaro Marchionni ’08 Rafael Mares and Karla Van Praag Clayton McLaren ’21 Ely Mesa Vance Morgan and Dananai Morgan Paul Murray and Sara Murray Abigail Mynahan ’19 Géraldine Naddaff and Alfred Naddaff Mallorie Nai Kelly Neely

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Edward and Nancy Mortimer Emily Rosenthal Moses ’85 Josh Neudel and Samantha Levine-Neudel Mary Olian ’70 Alexandra Oliver-Davila ’86 Michael Onderdonk and Roslyn Pedlar Robert Palmer and Nancy Smith Cecelia Pan and Davis Pan Joe Panto and Melissa Panto Allyn Weimer Pearce Francisco Perez-Landaeta and Karen Norgaard Justin Peterson and Jenna Breslin Sherrell Pierre Ellen Shapiro Pietroforte ’69 Madeleine Pogoda Alex Porteleki and Tracy Porteleki Linda Loukas Post ’73 Patty Poulin Carl Rapisarda-Vallely Eric and Anne Reenstierna Daniel Reiser and Alison Reiser John Rimas Clay Rives Deepak Sampath and Sara Laroche Susan Santos and Patricia Sullivan Stephen Scolnick and Sara Scolnick Jean and John Sehnert Mark Sehnert Rudina Seseri Anatoli Shabashov and Diana Shabashov Ken Shih and Su Mei Shih Larry and Joan Siff Rachael Thorne Silard ’01 Frank and Donna Slaski Peter Slaski and Ann-Marie Holland Sally H. Smart ’73 Amy Durant Solomon ’75 George A. Spiratos Theodore and Yuri Sung Catherine V. Swift ’73 Hank and June Szretter Elizabeth Jones Teczar ’67 James Thomas and Shawnnya Thomas Crisanto Torres and Soyoung Lee Alexi Tymoczko and Molly Tymoczko Ann Van Praag Amela Hadziahmetovic Vautour ’00 Christopher Walsh and Elizabeth Walsh David and Jennifer Walsh Robert Warren and Jane Grayson David Weinstock and Gianna Zuccotti Jukka Westhues and Suzanne Westhues Elizabeth T. Wicks ’62 Miles D. Wilcox Hubert Williams and Evandra Williams Marlo Williams and Dulce Williams Abraham Woldeselassie and Mahlet Gessese Rachel Wolf-Heyman and Jeffrey Heyman Ted Wolfstich and Christina Wolfstich

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023 Eric Neudel Sydney Nichols Liz O’Leary Craig Oliver and Charlene Oliver Deborah O’Malley Emily Onderdonk ’18 Julie O’Neill Alex Ostergard Angela Park Ina Patel Luke Patton ’03 Cindy Pendergast Christina Perez and Joshua Bowman Joshua Poresky ’19 Katherine Poulson Walter Pultinas ’08 Sam Ravina ’17 Rishi Reddi Donald Reese Dona Rehm-Robles Luz Estella Restrepo Catherine Spinale Rieger ’58 Janeata Robinson Craig Roman Nicole Rudolph Diana Scharrer Caroline Scheibe Thomas Schmottlach and Namrata Schmottlach Gary Scollard Helen Selle ’76 Elyse Seltzer Marcia Simbine Rhonda Singer Eric Smith ’99 and Sasha Smith Jared Smith Kenley Smith Sarah Smith ’17 Rebecca Soulette ’88 Robert Spurrier Larry Stahley Star Market Give Back Where It Counts Program Bradley Starr Stop & Shop Community Bag Program

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Christian Stratter Zoë Stublarec Elizabeth Goldman Suga Lisa Summergrad Janet Sweezey Harrison Teschke ’22 Alexander Thurmond Kim Tolpa Ellen Toub Willa Grant Trevens ’58 Madeline Snow Typadis ’71 Andrea Underhill-Curtin Michael Vasily-Cioffi and Jodie Vasily-Cioffi Matt Vaughan Taylor Vaughn Josephine Saxe Wechsler ’54 Frank and Margie Welter Emily Whitten Leonard Wholey Jeff Wilen and Sarah Hershey Marilyn Wilker James and Melanie Wolf Rachel Wrightson ’93 Sarah Wyllie Rebecca Thomas Yudkoff ’97

Alumni

The Estate of Elizabeth Forbes Codd ’41 Elizabeth Howard Linzee ’43 Patricia Folts Dooley ’45 Doreen Davis Gove ’45 The Estate of Ruth E. Sonigan ’45 The Estate of Emily C. Hood ’49 Constance Ludcke Huebner ’50 Nancy Biddle Lemcke ’50 Josephine Saxe Wechsler ’54 Elisabeth Schneider Hall ’55 Catherine Spinale Rieger ’58 Willa Grant Trevens ’58 Mary Cooper Little ’59 Judith Harmon Brezniak ’60 Suzanne Vitagliano DelVecchio ’60 Vicky Ann Thoma Barrette ’61 Joan Matheson Goldberg ’61

Constance Abramson Golden ’61 Anne Price Iverson ’61 Patricia Foley Di Silvio, Ph.D. ’62 Elizabeth T. Wicks ’62 Gail Devlin Moradi, Ph.D. ’64 Linda Kozol Hiller ’64 Cynthia Brown Thaxter ’64 Barbara K. Chandler ’65 Diana Clark Crookes ’65 Mary Ellen Grossman ’65 Marjorie W. Blum ’66 Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Leslie Fitzgerald Fallon ’66 Elinor Epstein Svenson ’66 Melanie Zibit ’66 Carol Tesone Croffy ’67 Elizabeth Jones Teczar ’67 Margery E. Heins ’68 Dianne Leavitt Brooks ’69 Joan E. Kolligian ’69 Ellen Shapiro Pietroforte ’69 Carrie W. Farmer ’70 Mary Olian ’70 Gail S. Gabriel ’71 Madeline Snow Typadis ’71 Deborah King ’72 Linda Shapiro Waintrup ’72 Jane Brenner Goodband ’73 Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73 Stephanie Kosmo ’73 Pamela Fitzpatrick Olah ’73 Linda Loukas Post ’73 Sally H. Smart ’73 Catherine V. Swift ’73 Carol Paisner Bello ’74 Frances Fremont-Smith ’75 Durrie Durant Golding ’75 Amy Durant Solomon ’75 Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76 Helen Selle ’76 Josephine D. Barron ’80 Jennifer Perry Potter ’81 Cornelia M. Cook ’84 Emily Rosenthal Moses ’85 Alexandra Oliver-Davila ’86 Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88 Jennifer E. Mugar ’88 Rebecca Soulette ’88 Courtney McGillicuddy ’89 Olivia Dyer Reyelt ’90 Holly V. Malin Murray ’91 Abby N. Gaudette ’92 Dana L. Mathews ’92 Elizabeth Reiber Marsette ’93 Rachel Wrightson ’93 Rebecca Thomas Yudkoff ’97 Eric J. Smith ’99 Lina Chauhan-Klein ’00 Benjamin Diamond ’00

’’

Kevin Gates ’15 Elle McDermott ’16 Sam Ravina ’17 Sarah Smith ’17 Sophie Lapat ’18 + Emily Onderdonk ’18 James Yfantopoulos ’18 + Chloe Cochener ’19 Abigail Mynahan ’19 Joshua Poresky ’19 Samantha Estrada ’20 Alphonse Houndegla ’21 Kyrell Luc ’21 Clayton McLaren ’21 Marlo Frank ’22 Dieter Gartner ’22 Harrison Teschke ’22

Board of Trustees 2022–2023 John R. Allen III P ’12 Danny Best P ’18, ’20 Johanna K. Black P ’14, ’19 Chris Chou P ’29, ’33 Carol Tesone Croffy ’67 Suzzara Durocher P ’18, ’21 Karine Ernest P ’09, ’14, ’19

Brimmer and May gave me the foundation on which I’ve built my career as a professional engineer. Critical thinking is arguably the most important skill in STEM, but effectively communicating technical challenges is what really makes a difference. My strong writing and storytelling skills were honed by Brimmer’s English courses and involvement in the theater programs. I was not a gifted athlete, but the experience of playing sports at Brimmer has helped me develop teams that celebrate everyone’s contributions—not just the MVP. I am forever grateful for the personal investment from Brimmer faculty in my growth and success, and it’s one of the main reasons why I continue to support the Annual Fund. —Julie Eaton Ernst ’05

John R. Fitzgerald P ’07 Gail S. Gabriel, Esq. ’71, P ’05 Jon Grenzke P ’31 Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76 Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73 Judith S. Guild Lisa R. Hastings P ’18, ’18, ’19 Gajen Kandiah P ’23 Bernard E. Kaplan P ’05, ’07 Thomas A. Knox P ’26, ’28, ’32 David P. Kreisler, Esq. P ’17, ’19, ’23 Howard Leeder P ’15, ’20 Marsha MacLean P ’27, ’28 Richard M. Mynahan, Jr. P ’19 David Souza P ’26, ’30 Linda Shapiro Waintrup ’72, P ’02, ’06

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Amela Hadziahmetovic Vautour ’00 Rachael Thorne Silard ’01 Michelle Borkin ’02 Thomas Byrne ’02 David Cutler ’02 Runeko C. Lovell ’03 Luke C. Patton ’03 Courtney Camps Toomey ’04 Shana Pastor Carr ’04 Julie Eaton Ernst ’05 David Mael ’05 Henry F. Spitzer ’06 Quinn Fitzgerald ’07 Kentaro Marchionni ’08 Walter Pultinas ’08 Phoebe Cooper ’09 Molly Tobin Diamond ’09 Holly Eaton ’09 Jeffrey Castillo ’10 Hanna Pastor Feldman ’11 + Halle Edwards-McQuilton ’12 Jaye Giglio ’12 Benjamin Alford ’13 Karl Baptiste, Jr. ’13 Heather Gates ’13 Nicole Gates ’13 Maxwell Horvath ’13 + Caroline Weber ’13 +

Board of Visitors

Sally Eaton Arnold P ’05, ’09 Michelle Borkin ’02 Byrna Bornstein P ’03, ’10 Courtney Camps Toomey ’04 Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66, P ’98 Patrick Eastwood and Janet Eastwood P ’16, ’18, ’22 Marilyn W. Edgerton Julie Eaton Ernst ’05 Hanna Pastor Feldman ’11 Quinn Fitzgerald ’07 Thomas A. Fuller Durrie Durant Golding ’75 Wendy A. Gordon, P ’98 Mary Ellen Grossman ’65 Laurie J. Hall P ’16 David Heller P ’19 Lauren P. Lapat P ’18, ’21 Carla Leeder P ’15, ’20 Nancy Biddle Lemcke ’50 David Mael ’05 David McDermott P ’16 Jennifer E. Mugar ’88 Elisabeth W. Niedermeyer P ’06, ’10 Roslyn Pedlar P ’18 Cynthia S. Pendergast P ’01, ’04 James Rafferty and Cathleen Rafferty P ’14 Leonard A. Rosen G ’07, ’10, ’14 Susan Santos P ’18 Lawrence A. Siff P ’15, ’17, ’17 Helen Sulkowski Elinor Epstein Svenson ’66 Amela Hadziahmetovic Vautour ’00 Mahlon D. Williams, Jr. and Dulce Williams P ’20, ’23

+ Denotes member of Young Alumni Leadership Club Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023 2020–2023

Parents by Class Class of 2023 - 62%

Ted Barker-Hook and Nanda Barker-Hook Deisy Coronel Nicholas Cross and Kelly Lindert Kevin Dutt and Toni Hicks Paul Gamble and Cindy Gamble Yawen Geng Eric Gheewalla and Kathy Gheewalla Harry Glorikian and Katrina Menzigian Todd Hammer and Liz Hammer Richard Hirschen and Marcy Hirschen Sam Hsiao and Amanda Hsiao Kathleen Jacobs Farouc Jaffer and Kathy Economy Gajen Kandiah and Lisanne Kandiah The Kass/Gilbert Family Alexander Kozhemiakin and Jennifer Kozhemiakin Rob Lockhart and Helen Lockhart Jack Lull and Alexandra Lull Michael McDonald and Kara McDonald Paul Murray and Sara Murray Robert Palmer and Nancy Smith Art Papas and Nicole Papas Olivia Dyer Reyelt ’90 and William Reyelt John Rimas James Tague and Liza Tague Jukka Westhues and Suzanne Westhues Marlo Williams and Dulce Williams David Young and Michelle Mayer Prentice Zinn and Gabrielle Cobbs

Class of 2024 - 64%

Angela Baggett Brian Canavan and Joan Canavan Bem Claiborne and Victoria Claiborne Ben Clifford and Tricia Clifford Aubrey Conquergood and Peter Henderson Tyrell Dortch and Shauna-Lee Ruglass Kevin Dutt and Toni Hicks Jun Ge and Xiaolin Dai Allan Heff and Francine Laden Kristen Howard and Ivy Krull Ed Jaramillo and Amy Wyss Xiongbing Mou and Xiaowei Ma David Myers and Heather Myers Young Park and Anja Langbein-Park Sherrell Pierre Rishi Reddi John Stefanon and Michael Gackstetter Joe Terino and Katie Terino James Thomas and Shawnnya Thomas Michael Vasily-Cioffi and Jodie Vasily-Cioffi Gavin Wu and Yi Xing

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Class of 2025 - 76%

Alex Aber and Livia Aber Charles Altschul Paul Apen and Veronica Apen Paul Bernon Ashley Bernon Joshua Bowman and Christina Perez Panos Demeter and Sara Demeter Steve DePaola and Heather DePaola David Dykeman and Danielle Dykeman Kelly Feeley Keith Gainsboro and Laura Gainsboro Sean Gavin and Jennifer Anne Gavin Larry Gordon and Jacquelyn Gordon Craig Horning and Melissa DePaul Christopher Hurst and Nicole Whisnant Hurst Kathleen Jacobs David Jennings and Jennifer Krebs Qi Jiang Allison Johnson Edward Johnson, IV Ekkehard Kasper and Ines Kasper Alexander Kozhemiakin and Jennifer Kozhemiakin Hassanaly Ladha and Emily Holman John Lewis and Suzanne Sheirr Jack Lull and Alexandra Lull Chris Malloy and Molly Malloy Joe Panto and Melissa Panto Weibin Peng and Wendy Wang Christina Perez and Joshua Bowman Jay Wagner and Lainie Wagner Christopher Walsh and Elizabeth Walsh Hubert Williams and Evandra Williams Zijian Zheng and Lingling Zhou Eric Zimmerman and Audrey Kalmus

Class of 2026 - 56%

Pascal Aguirre and Irina Aguirre Eve Alpern and Brenda Morris Laurent Audoly and Olga Granaturova Eddy Avignon and Suze Berthold-Avignon Cynthia Blanco William Gartner and Janette Gartner Yawen Geng Rupa Houndegla Scott Kriss and Eden Kriss Johnathan Mathiesen and Beth Mathiesen Tracey McCain Jordan Meranus and Evonne Meranus Bill Morrison and Lynne Morrison Alex Porteleki and Tracy Porteleki Marcia Simbine David Souza and Tatyana Souza Christopher Suraci and Laura Suraci John Tarbox and Melinda Tarbox Jeff Teschke and Chrissy Teschke Philip Thompson and Nicola Thompson

Solomon Tsegai and Stella Rupia Nick Velastegui and Sophia Velastegui Ted Wolfstich and Christina Wolfstich

Class of 2027 - 83%

Micah Adler and Rebecca Adler Alexander Bourgeois and Emily Anesta Derek Burket and Mary Burket Gena Comenzo Panos Demeter and Sara Demeter Tenzin Dengkhim Mark Dmytruk and Olena Dmytruk Bruno Drummond David Dykeman and Danielle Dykeman Craig Eastland and Juliet Eastland Sam Hsiao and Amanda Hsiao Brian Hurley and Christine Cignoli Alexander Kozhemiakin and Jennifer Kozhemiakin Mark MacLean and Marsha MacLean Rafael Mares and Karla Van Praag Andrew Pang and Samuel Pang Allyn Weimer Pearce Danny Pi and Jenny Chan Roberta Prado Cindy Reardon and Mark Reardon Steven Rosenberg and Pamela Rosenberg Robert Seaver and Tracey Bolotnick Anatoli Shabashov and Diana Shabashov Yang Shao-Horn and Quinn Horn Drew Shimomura and Sarah Walters Garth Smith and Susan Kirwan Alexander Stangle and Caroline Stangle Patrick Taffe and Lisa Taffe Joshua Tatelman and Tanja Tatelman

Class of 2028 - 84%

Steven and Michelle Bearak Paul Bernon Ashley Bernon Carson Biederman and Susan MacPherson Joshua Bowman and Christina Perez Aalana Feaster Ray Fisman and Ellie Grossman Shomir Ghosh and Cathy McCarty Jeff Hesselbein and Amy Bland Daniel Karnes and Leslie Karnes Tom Knox and Kristin Knox Mark Landis and Mary Singleton Leon Latino and Gena Mavuli Nick Leonard and Rebecca Leonard Niles Lindenfelser and Lauren Lindenfelser Mark MacLean and Marsha MacLean Brian McSherry and Meg McSherry Ben Mezrich and Tonya Mezrich Craig Oliver and Charlene Oliver Joe Panto and Melissa Panto Ravi Pappu and Wendy Plesniak Christina Perez and Joshua Bowman

’’

Hussam Batal and Arghavan Batal Deb Castro and Fidel Castro Chris Chou and Jessi Chou Jeremy Gauld and Catalina Guillermety Charlie Glassenberg and Abby Glassenberg Akinobu Itoh and Naoko Itoh Phillip Lane and Sharifah Niles-Lane Xiaodong Li and Minchao Bu

We have been blessed to be part of the Brimmer family for 19 years with our three boys. Brimmer’s greatest strength is its unwavering focus on building an open and inclusive community while prioritizing academic excellence and creating an environment where each child can find a way to be their very best version of themselves. For example, one of our boys who loves math played soccer and sang in the musical, and one of our other boys who loves sports fell in love with neuropsychology and became a peer tutor. All our children explored their environment and stretched their minds within a safe and inspiring community. They learned to ask questions, to lean on their friends and teachers, and to give back to the School that has given so much to them. They’ve engaged in a culture of inquiry with enthusiasm and resourcefulness only learned from a Brimmer education. During their education, we’ve always felt connected to the community and administration and knew we were on the same team. We’re forever grateful for all that Brimmer has done for our family! —Farouc Jaffer and Kathy Economy P ’23

George Washko and Diana Gallagher Hunter Woolley and Ann Woolley

Class of 2029 - 68%

Raja Elie Abdulnour and Julie Nijmeh Denge Agola and Megan Agola Gareth Amaya Price and Lisa Amaya Price

Blaine McKee and Krista McKee Josh Miller and Emily Miller Yaguang Si and Dan Mu Hubert Williams and Evandra Williams Rachel Wolf-Heyman and Jeffrey Heyman Howard Young and Brett Young

Class of 2030 - 93%

Mike Barnett and Sasha Yablonovsky Hussam Batal and Arghavan Batal Carson Biederman and Susan MacPherson Paul Chang and Kara Deaver Chang Amy Coe and Carol Rohl Peter Enyeart and Susan Enyeart David Frye and Emily Marvel Sara Green Akinobu Itoh and Naoko Itoh Kim Jones and Rachel Stroup David Kapson and Heather Kapson Alexander Kozhemiakin and Jennifer Kozhemiakin John Lewis and Suzanne Sheirr Tony Liu and Sharon Wang Ben Mezrich and Tonya Mezrich Todd Morrison and Stephanie Morrison Josh Neudel and Samantha Levine-Neudel Dana Robinson and Laurel Davis Deepak Sampath and Sara Laroche Ronald Schafer and Anna Kuznetsova-Schafer Matthew Selig and Catherine Annas Alvin Shih and Wendy Shih David Souza and Tatyana Souza Deon Stander and Peggy Stander Billy Thibeault and Annie Thibeault Andrew Wilson and Lamya Shihabuddin Abraham Woldeselassie and Mahlet Gessese

Class of 2031 - 83%

Christopher Baugh and Keri Baugh Damian Betebenner and Cigdem Betebenner Adam Block and Rebecca Block Alexander Bourgeois and Emily Anesta Derek Burket and Mary Burket Michael Garcia-Webb and Meghan Garcia-Webb Jon Grenzke and Elizabeth Kensinger Jake Jung and Suk Jun Kim Brian Kane and Julianna Schantz-Dunn Bing Liu and Mei Leng Brad Mak and Brigitta Herzfeld Dana Mathews ’92 Johnathan Mathiesen and Beth Mathiesen Blaine McKee and Krista McKee Mark Merolli and Ines Merolli Vance Morgan and Dananai Morgan Robert Palmer and Nancy Smith Daniel Rudoy and Melanie Rudoy Henry Scarisbrick and Wendy Scarisbrick Yaguang Si and Dan Mu

Class of 2032 - 62%

Hussam Batal and Arghavan Batal Jonathan Bedard and Julie Bedard Deb Castro and Fidel Castro Paul Chang and Kara Deaver Chang Giselle Davis Vinny Ferrara and Diana Ferrara Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Danny Pi and Jenny Chan Sherrell Pierre Adrian Priesol and Nurhan Torun Daniel Reiser and Alison Reiser Robert Sitkoff and Tamara Sitkoff Robert Spalding and Sara Spalding Alexander Thurmond Alexi Tymoczko and Molly Tymoczko

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Jeff Hesselbein and Amy Bland Tom Knox and Kristin Knox Kathryn Lee and Brian Lee Vincent Lee and Lily Lee Andy Pang and Cindy Leung Solomon Tsegai and Stella Rupia Abraham Woldeselassie and Mahlet Gessese Rachel Wolf-Heyman and Jeffrey Heyman Li Xiao and Rongjun Zuo Xunqi Yu and Liyun Zhang

Class of 2033 - 87%

Meg Caven and Laura Warren Chris Chou and Jessi Chou Jessica Christian and Josh Weinger David Cucchiara and Nicole Cariglia Tenzin Dengkhim Greg Fisher and Daniela Aguel Shaun Gavin and Matty Del Valle David Kapson and Heather Kapson Bill Knott and Becky Knott John Louis and Sophya Williams-Louis Steve Moore and Maria Walsh Justin Peterson and Jenna Breslin Jeff Wilen and Sarah Hershey

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Class of 2034 - 64%

Sunyoung Bae Vinny Ferrara and Diana Ferrara Evan Finnegan and Lulit Finnegan Michael Garcia-Webb and Meghan Garcia-Webb Kathryn Lee and Brian Lee Bing Liu and Mei Leng Miao Liu and Ting Huang Vance Morgan and Dananai Morgan Todd Morrison and Stephanie Morrison Francisco Perez-Landaeta and Karen Norgaard Justin Peterson and Jenna Breslin Nihar Prasanna and Taz Kanji Peter Slaski and Ann-Marie Holland Kevin Sun and Gabriel Han Charles Yuan and Amanda Lei

Class of 2035 - 72%

Brian Beale and Shannon Beale Todd Belanger and Maria Borejsza-Wysocka Jessica Christian and Josh Weinger Samuel Chung and Katie Chung Evan Finnegan and Lulit Finnegan Greg Fisher and Daniela Aguel Dan Fitzgerald and Rebecca Pacheco Phillip Lane and Sharifan Niles-Lane Vincent Lee and Lily Lee Ahmed Mady and Abeer Bader

Eric Smith ’99 and Sasha Smith Yi Zhou and Lijue Shen Hong Zong and Chi Chen

Class of 2036 - 67%

Meg Caven and Laura Warren Robert Cawein and Ceridwen Shultz Stephanie Golas and Brian Friedland Peter Slaski and Ann-Marie Holland Crisanto Torres and Soyoung Lee Seth Voss and Shannon Voss

Foundations Anonymous Johanna K. and Jeffrey T. Black Foundation The Bolotnick Seaver Family Foundation Bright Funds Foundation Cail Family Foundation Cherbec Advancement Foundation Charles E. & Charlotte T. Curry Foundation The Helen Clay Frick Foundation Grabe Family Foundation, Inc. Lavonne Horrowitz Charitable Foundation The Mugar Foundation The Nichols Trust Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation Sherman H. Starr Family Foundation

Past Parents

Adobe Inc. Bank of America Biogen Inc. Fidelity Foundation Matching Gifts Program Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC John Hancock Life Insurance Company, U.S.A. MasterCard Merck & Co., Inc. Microsoft Corporation Star Market Give Back Where It Counts Program State Street Foundation, Inc. Stop & Shop Community Bag Program Takeda Pharmaceuticals Zynx Health Incorporated

John Allen and Betsy Allen P ’12 Sally Eaton Arnold and Bruce Arnold P ’05, ’09 Katharine Bachman P ’09 Jeff and Jody Black P ’14, ’19 Nancy and Peter Bradley P ’08 Tom and Patty Bray P ’97 Marianne Brown P ’97 Pat and Joan Byrne P ’02, ’09 Gloria Cassey P ’92 Ge Chen and Wei Wei Liu P ’18, ’24 Joanne Clamage and Marc Clamage P ’08, ’10 Kathleen Corkins P ’13 Harold Dennis and Elizabeth Gerlach P ’06 Shirley-Ann DePeiza P ’05 Irene Diamond P ’97, ’00 Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66, P ’98 Aurilus Durand and Jermain Joseph P ’20 John Durocher and Suzzara Durocher P ’18, ’21 Tom Engellenner and Carol Stolberg P ’05 Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 Ken and Patience Epstein P ’03, ’05 Emmanuel and Karine Ernest P ’09, ’14, ’19 Esther Feldberg P ’66 John Fitzgerald and Peggy St. Clair P ’07 James Gammill and Susan Alexander P ’08 Michael and Elizabeth Girioni P ’15 David and Melissa Goldstone P ’22 Laurie Hall P ’16 Jason and Julia Hamilton P ’21 Chris Hardman and Emily Hardman P ’31 Richard Harrison and Ann Braithwaite P ’19 Mark and Lisa Hastings P ’18, ’18, 19 David Heller P ’19 Hali Hellmuth P ’23 Joseph Iuliano and Jill Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18 Bill Jacob and Kerry Lynn Jacob P ’06 Farouc Jaffer and Kathy Economy P ’18, ’21, ’23 Bernie and Faith Kaplan P ’05, ’07 Rusty and Betsy Kellogg P ’03 Nathalie Boileau and Ramin Khorasani P ’20 Kazumi Kobayashi P ’08 Jeremy and Reedy Kream P ’17 David Kreisler and Gwyn Williams P ’19, ’19, ’23 Joseph Levinger and Elizabeth Murphy P ’19 Rob Lockhart and Helen Lockhart P ’21, ’23 Craig and Dorothy Mael P ’05, ’08 David and Phyllis McDermott P ’16 John and Carolyn McGillicuddy P ’89 Richard Mynahan and Jennifer Mynahan P ’19 Géraldine Naddaff and Alfred Naddaff P ’15 Elisabeth and Thomas Niedermeyer, Jr. P ’06, ’10 Craig and Jennifer Niemann Cecelia Pan and Davis Pan P ’16 Carl Rapisarda-Vallely P ’27 Janeata Robinson P ’07, ’09

Grandparents Katharine E. Bachman P ’09, G ’28 Ottolie Baggett G ’24 Sandy Bland G ’26, ’28, ’32, ’32 Alain Bourgeois and Jessica Bourgeois G ’27, ’31 Gregory Breslin and Margie Breslin G ’33, ’35 Judith Harmon Brezniak ’60 and David Brezniak G ’23 Richard Carnrike and Deborah Carnrike G ’33 Ron Chen and Fu-mei Chen G ’28, ’30 Raymond Comenzo and Sheryl Comenzo G ’27 Henry Fayne and Niki Fayne G ’30 Joseph D. Feaster, Jr. G ’28 Joan Feeley G ’25 Saverio Ferrara and Beatrice Ferrara G ’32, ’34 John Green and Sue Green G ’30 Maija Hinkle G ’29 Richard Hodgson G ’25 Jeannette Kensinger G ’31 Kenneth Levine and Robin Levine G ’30 Marie Lindahl G ’24 Charity Majuru G ’31, ’34 Angela Mong G ’29, ’33 Edward Mortimer and Nancy Mortimer G ’23 Richard L. Pemberton G ’29, ’32 Leonard A. Rosen G ’07, ’10, ’14 Richard Salinsky and Esther Salinsky G ’28 Stephen Scolnick and Sara Scolnick G ’25 Ken Shih and Su Mei Shih G ’30 Francis Slaski and Donna Slaski G ’34, ’36 John D. Spooner P ’88, G ’22 Robert Stroup and Elizabeth Coleman G ’30 Kathleen F. Thurmond P ’09, G ’28 Ann Van Praag G ’22, ’27, ’27 David Walsh and Jennifer Walsh G ’33 Robert Warren and Jane Grayson G ’33, ’36 James Wolf and Melanie Wolf G ’29, ’32

Larry and Joan Siff P ’15, ’17, ’17 Rod and Elizabeth Smith P ’17 Sarkis and Linda Soukiasian P ’10 John D. Spooner P ’88 Theodore and Yuri Sung P ’16 Hank and June Szretter P ’13 Frank and Margie Welter P ’97, ’98 John and Judie Wyman P ’88 Christopher Yonge and Nancy Venti Yonge P ’14 Wen Hui Zhu P ’23

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Corporations

Faculty & Staff Cassandra Abodeely Lauren Abrams William Arndt Martha Arroyoave Ted Barker-Hook Andrew Beal Brian Beale Karen Bernanke Brian Binkowski Jason Bock Shanyia Boutwell Nancy R. Bradley Thomas G. Bray Amy Carpenter Debra Castro Jessica Christian Joanne Clamage Louisa Pitt Connaughton Georgia Crane Amanda Crater Parker Curtis David Cutler ’02 Susan Cuyler Olivia Damson Nicole DeCesare Christie DeNizio Helen Du Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88 Beth Escobar Melany Ferrimy Blake Fitch Ellen Foley Kimberly Formisano Frances Fremont-Smith ’75 Matthew Gallon Mary Gates Taran Gavrin Stephanie Golas Mirna Goldberger Judith Guild Chris Hardman Claire Harrison Hali Hellmuth Julian Hickman Max Holman

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

’’

It is so nice to know that alumni from such a span of decades are giving back to their alma mater to ensure the betterment of the School. The higher the percentage of alumni giving, the more the School can do to continue in its mission of educating students. —Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73, Board of Trustees

Lindsay Horbatuck Rupa Houndegla Joseph Iuliano William Jacob Julia Jennings Yuhong Jia Brett Kelly Gemma Kevaney Jennifer Kunkel Douglas Landaverde Michael Langlois Kathryn Lee Jaime Lin Patricia Lopera Emily Luckett Mireille Manzella Courtney McGillicuddy ’89 Beth Meister Ely Joanna Mesa Paul Murray Géraldine Naddaff Mallorie Nai Kelly Neely Thomas Nelson Eric Neudel Joshua Neudel Sydney Nichols Elizabeth O’Leary Deborah O’Malley Julie O’Neill Alex Ostergard Cecelia Pan Angela Park Ina Patel Christina Perez Katherine Poulson Carl Rapisarda-Vallely Donald Reese Dona Rehm-Robles Luz Estella Restrepo Janeata Robinson Craig Roman Nicole Rudolph

Fall 2023

Brimmer Magazine

Sharin Russell Rafeal Salazar Diana Scharrer Caroline Scheibe Namrata Schmottlach Thomas Schmottlach Mark Sehnert Elyse Seltzer Peter Slaski Elizabeth Smith Eric Smith ’99 Jared Smith Kenley Smith Larry Stahley Bradley Starr Christian Stratter Zoë Stublarec Elizabeth Suga Lisa Summergrad Janet Sweezey Stanley Szwartz Kim Tolpa Andrea Underhill-Curtin Matthew Vaughan Taylor Vaughn Emily Whitten Leonard Wholey Rachel Wolf-Heyman Sarah Wyllie

Former Staff Virginia Beech Patty Bray Irene Diamond Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Suzzara Durocher Marilyn W. Edgerton Thomas Fuller Myra Korin Runeko Lovell ’03 Jennifer E. Mugar ’88 Jack Murphy Patty Poulin

Cindy Stec Reardon Anne Reenstierna Olivia Dyer Reyelt ’90 Helen Selle ’76 Robert Spurrier Elinor Epstein Svenson ’66 Kimberley Woods

In Honor Of Gifts received In Honor of Karen Bernanke Craig Eastland and Juliet Eastland Gifts received In Honor of All Teachers Marjorie Blum ’73 Gifts received In Honor of Mark Byrne ’09 Pat and Joan Byrne Gifts received In Honor of Thomas Byrne ’02 Pat and Joan Byrne Gifts received In Honor of Suzzara Chace Durocher Martha Chace Loring Gifts received In Honor of Jeff Gates Kim Woods and Stew Smith Gifts received In Honor of Judy Guild Carrie W. Farmer ’70 Gifts received In Honor of Bill and Judy Guild Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Honor of Jared Heller ’19 David Heller Gifts received In Honor of Marlie Kass’ 18th Birthday The Kass/Gilbert Family Gifts received In Honor of Deborah O’Malley Deon Stander and Peggy Stander Gifts received In Honor of Carl Rapisarda-Vallely Craig Eastland and Juliet Eastland Gifts received In Honor of Janeata Robinson Joe and Jill Iuliano Gifts received In Honor of Jason, Bradley, Tyler, and Clayton Starr Sherman H. Starr Family Foundation Julie Starr-Duker

ANNUAL REPORT 2022–2023

Gifts received In Honor of Dorothy Stewart, Teacher of Latin and English Stephanie Kosmo ’73 Gifts received In Honor of the Class of 1966 Melanie Zibit ’66

In Memoriam Gifts received In Memory of Mollye Lichter Block ’66 Esther Feldberg Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Memory of Pauline Dierks Curry Charles E. & Charlotte T. Curry Foundation Tom Knox and Kristin Knox Gifts received In Memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Tenzin Choeku Dengkhim Tenzin F. Dengkhim Gifts received In Memory of Jeffrey Grogan Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Memory of Robert Kass Cassie Abodeely Peter J. Aloisi Anonymous Jack B. Blumenfeld Marina H. Bornhorst Bright Funds Foundation Stefano Caprara Chris Coburn Paul Cohen Andrew Collins Lino Covarrubias Belden H. Daniels Michael Dwyer Harron Ellenson Pauline Engel Ellen Foley Thomas Fuller and Beth Fuller Jun Ge and Xiaolin Dai Gigi Georges Suzanne Gilfix Bill and Judy Guild Todd Hammer and Liz Hammer James Hill Richard Hirschen and Marcy Hirschen Katrina Iserman Howard Jacobs Beverly A. Kahn Risa Kahn Jana Korn Aaron and Lauren Lapat David Levenson Peter Levenson Faye R. Levine Robert Levine

Ellen Foley and Jack Murphy Emily Onderdonk ’18 Michael Onderdonk and Roslyn Pedlar Art Papas and Nicole Papas Pledgeling Foundation Madeleine Pogoda ’25 and Family Olivia Dyer Reyelt ’90 and William Reyelt Clay Rives Sharin Russell Gary Scollard Rudina Seseri Rhonda Singer Elizabeth Smith and Rod Smith George A. Spiratos Ellen Toub Miles D. Wilcox Marilyn Wilker Wen Hui Zhu Gifts received In Memory of Kathy Kelety Suzanne Vitagliano DelVecchio ’60 Gifts received In Memory of Doris Mayers and Audrey Williams Hubert Williams and Evandra Williams Gifts received In Memory of Kevin O’Connor Marlo Williams and Dulce Williams

Gifts received In Memory of Jim Orr Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Memory of Ellen A. Quinlan Courtney Camps Toomey ’04 Gifts received In Memory of Dot Raymon Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Memory of David Russell Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Gifts received In Memory of Shao Chengxiang Yang Shao-Horn and Quinn Horn Gifts received In Memory of Barbara Shoolman Holly Malin Murray ’91 Gifts received In Memory of Anne Selle Spitzer ’72 Nancy Sobin Drourr ’66 Henry Spitzer ’06 Gifts received In Memory of Susan F. Spooner Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88 Gifts received In Memory of Maureen Wright Eric and Anne Reenstierna

Brimmer Magazine

Fall 2023

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Fall 2023 Magazine

Articles inside

2023 FACULTY INNOVATION AWARDS

SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI COLLEAGUES

IT’S THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF TEACHING

BETH MEISTER RETIRES

CHRIS CHOU BEGINS TENURE AS BOARD CHAIR