Spring 2023 Magazine

Co-Editors

Sue Cuyler

Director of Marketing & Communications

Nicky DeCesare

Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Editorial Counsel

Judith Guild

Head of School

Contributing Writers

Ted Barker-Hook P ’23

Andrew Beal

Brian Beale P ’35

Sue Cuyler

Nicky DeCesare

Judith Guild

Rupa Houndegla P ’21, ’26

Joseph Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18

Bill Jacob P ’06

Nico Jaffer ’23

Kathryn Lee P ’32, ’34

Ina Patel

Craig Roman

Elyse Seltzer

Elizabeth Smith P ’17

Photography

David Barron

Oxygen Group

Nicky DeCesare

Edan Zinn ’23

Graphic Design blazar design studio

Alumni Affairs & Development Office

Elizabeth Smith P ’17

Director of Development

Sharin Russell

Director of the Annual Fund

Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22

Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events

Mark Sehnert Advancement Associate

Connect with us

Twitter: @BrimmerandMay | Instagram: @BrimmerandMaySchool

Facebook: @BrimmerandMay & @BrimmerandMayAlumni

LinkedIn: Brimmer and May | YouTube: Brimmer and May School

Front Cover: Teaching Assistant Namrata Schmottlach with Lower School Buddies on our Annual Fall Apple Picking Trip.

Photo credit: Rachel Wolf Heyman

AJ Reeves ’18 gets some air during last spring’s Alumni Day basketball game featuring current students against alums.

Table of Contents

Features

04 | A WINNING TEAM

Collaboration, teamwork, and camaraderie yield amazing results for students

14 | SPOTLIGHT ON THE FACILITIES TEAM

Meet the team that keeps Brimmer running smoothly

16 | SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY

Ambition, determination, and drive take AJ Reeves ’18 all the way to the NBA

22 | WINTERIM

Exploring the world (once again!) through our signature experiential learning program Winterim

28 | JOY AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE

Creating space for balance and joy in the Library Learning Commons and the Upper and Middle School curricula

30 | BRIMMER & ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY (S)TEAM UP!

Expanding the design process beyond the classroom walls

34 | 18TH ANNUAL BISSELL GROGAN SYMPOSIUM

Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium explores balancing school, self, and life

Around Campus

elevating

A letter from Judith Guild

In this edition of Brimmer Magazine, you will read how our educators elevate teamwork and weave it into our practice and culture. Our students learn how important it is to work together and how the interconnectedness between roles and responsibilities permeates life and its careers.

Putting together a team is a skill that our faculty employs with clear intent. Members of a team may purposefully include a mix of introverts, extroverts, supporters, and leaders. Working together requires our students to have a collaborative mindset, and different types of thinkers are key to finding effective solutions to complex problems. Our administrators attributed the overall success of sustaining in-person learning during the pandemic to having a collaborative mindset,

and our students understood the powerful outcome of effective teaming as they watched their faculty manage each day.

In this edition, you will also read how the power of effective teams is limitless. The Brimmer academic, athletic, and arts programs reflect this value. You will learn how our Middle and Upper School geometry classes team up with design classes for semester-long collaborations that yield extraordinary results. You will learn how our fifth graders team up with faculty advisors who support and empower them throughout their Capstone Exhibitions. You will witness the teamwork that has fueled Brimmer Cross Country to eight championship wins in the past nine years. You will go behind the scenes of our

Creative Arts department and meet the Production Team that supports our student performers and helps them excel.

Brimmer’s mission promotes a studentcentered environment that empowers students to be engaged in their learning. Working in teams facilitates this goal and allows students to work actively towards a common purpose. As we experience disruptions to society’s norms—whether it is the latest artificial intelligence platform, a worldwide pandemic, or political conflicts that threaten our future—learning to be part of a successful team propels our students’ learning and helps us flourish. As you read the enclosed articles, I hope you will understand better how Brimmer’s faculty are preparing our students to be engaged citizens and leaders in our interconnected world. ■

Above: Head of School Judy Guild speaks at a Fall Parents Association meeting. To learn about the beautiful artwork behind her on the windows, see pages 8-9. Opposite: top: Middle School Math Teacher Andrew Beal works with an 8th grade student; bottom left: Upper School students enjoy the return of Winterim; bottom right: Lower School Buddies enjoy the Apple Picking trip in the fall.

A Winning Team

Collaboration, teamwork, and camaraderie yield amazing results for students

Introduction by Judith Guild, Head of School

During our fall Open House, with the Head of the Charles on many people’s minds that weekend, I thought it was a good opportunity to share a regatta metaphor, one that helped tell the Brimmer story. As you know, crew is a team sport, and the team size depends on the boat’s size. Much like Brimmer, the boats are small, and it is the whole of a team’s effort that makes the individual feel the power of being part of a winning team.

I learned the power of being on a team in 1976 when my cousin Gail Ricketson rowed for the U.S. Women’s team, the debut event for women’s crew. I was a teenager then, and the excitement to see her compete for the United States as a female rower electrified my family.

If you have watched a regatta, you know that teams often pull ahead or fall behind within a blink of an eye. On that cool summer day in Montreal, the U.S. women’s 8 left the start line with strength and determination in the Olympics final race, clearly boat lengths ahead of the others, and destined to take the gold.

Then suddenly Gail’s shell slowed. The white caps were fierce, and the boat nearly capsized. Impressively, the team steadied themselves, reengaged, and crossed the finish line in third place. The crowds cheered, believed in the rowers’ talent and strength, and my cousin Gail and her team came home with the bronze medal.

This moment in the Olympic event is like the life of most young people. While few can experience what it means to be an athlete at the Olympic level, all young people want to have unconditional support, people on the sidelines cheering them on, teachers helping them move past a plateau, and adults and friends steadying a critical moment so they can cross the finish line. This metaphor reminds me of what it means to be part of Brimmer’s winning team.

We are a school that prides itself on its ability to be self-reflective, that believes in the strength of teamwork, and knows that growth and change is part of the journey. Teamwork has been an essential part of our School’s success, and the following vignettes highlight some of the incredible partnerships within our community. Whether you have been a part of the Brimmer community for decades or just getting to know us, we hope you feel the power of being part of Brimmer’s winning team.

continued on page 6

Above: 1976 U.S. Olympic Women’s Rowing Team with Gail Ricketson (second from the right). Photo courtesy of USRowing.org.; At Left: Stunning campus installation created through a collaboration between Middle and Upper School geometry and design classes.

Community-Driven Community Service Where Students Take the Lead

In Brimmer’s Middle School, we strive to develop informed and engaged citizens of the world. To that end, we have shifted away from the more traditional approach to community service where programs are faculty derived and implemented. Because we believe the middle years are when students define and refine their voices, our cornerstone projects are chosen by the students. Each fall, the Middle School Senate brainstorms a list of initiatives they believe are important to their community, and the student body votes for the charity they wish to support. Organizations such as Make-A-Wish, The Trevor Project, and most recently The Ocean Cleanup have topped this list. Once an organization is selected, the Senate plans and runs several fundraisers throughout the year, such as bake sales and faculty dunk tanks. While faculty provides coaching and support, the students manage the logistics. For a bake sale, for example, class representatives recruit bakers during their weekly homeroom meeting. The Senate Vice President collects recipes and shares them with the Nurse for any allergy concerns. The Senate Secretary designs a poster to advertise, and the Senate President makes weekly announcements to remind the community. On the day of the sale, class representatives manage the event, and the Treasurer tallies the proceeds to add to our collective gift. We find there is greater buy-in when the entire endeavor is student led; moreover, we are helping shape future community activists, leaders, and caring members of society.

Andrew Beal Middle School Math Teacher Middle School Director of Student Life Director of the Middle School Learning Center

The Fifth

Ella Fitzgerald, Muhammad Ali, Mother Teresa… What do all these historical figures that span hundreds of years have in common? They are all frequently explored topics for the Fifth Grade Capstone Exhibition. At the end of their Lower School experience, fifth grade students embark on an intensive study of an individual or event that demonstrates the traits of strength of character. All year long students analyze, reason, and question how various events and historical figures demonstrated strength of character throughout history. As March Break approaches, students are ready to delve

Grade

Capstone

Exhibition Teaming Up for Success

into one last investigation: the Capstone Exhibition. The project is broken down into four components: a creative written piece, an artistic visual piece, a digital slideshow, and a reflective oral presentation. As fifth graders, the Capstone Exhibition may mark the end of their Lower School experience, but it celebrates all that has been learned and practiced through their years at Brimmer.

Unlike other Lower School Exhibitions of Knowledge, the Capstone Exhibition is unique in one distinct way. Every student is assigned a faculty advisor who may be a teacher from

a previous grade or a community member who has worked with the students in the Lower School. Over the course of three months, students will rely on their advisors for support, encouragement, and even comic relief. The excitement in the spring is palpable. Fifth grade students eagerly await finding out who their advisor will be. Even the adult community feels the anticipation of that first meeting. With weekly meetings, or more often as deadlines approach, this partnership is an integral part of the experience and the key to its success. Equipped with the due dates and rubrics provided to them by their teachers, the

Students dunking Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School Carl Vallely during a Dunk Tank fundraiser last year to support The Trevor Project.

The Parents Association

Everyone Is a Member of This Team

There is a Brimmer team of which every parent and guardian is automatically a member, and it plays a vital role in the school/home partnership. Promoting participation in the arts, athletics, admissions, library, lunch, community events, community service, fundraising, and more, the Parents Association (PA) is an important and engaging way to bring our community together. Through monthly meetings covering a range of topics, including PK-12 programming, the strategic direction of the School, parenting concerns, summer reading, and ways in which the world outside Brimmer affects our community, the PA Co-Chairs provide insight into the many ways that Brimmer parents and guardians can partner with the School.

Nominated by Brimmer leadership for twoyear terms, PA Co-Chairs represent all three divisions of the School and are chosen for their leadership and the many volunteer roles they fill each year. They consistently bring

Our parent volunteers are essential to maintaining a vibrant school community.

their enthusiasm to the role, sharing the list of opportunities available and encouraging parents and guardians to get involved in whatever way they feel most comfortable. We know that parents engage in different ways depending on their availability, and we want to thank all our PA members—every single one. You make up a winning team for Brimmer!

Elizabeth Smith P ’17 Director of Development

Parent Representatives

Parent Liaisons

Admissions Volunteers

Library Volunteers

Lunch Volunteers

Events Volunteers

Symposium Speakers

Arts Volunteers

Athletics Boosters

Annual Fund Volunteers

And many more!

students and advisors work together to meet each deadline. Balancing the various components of the Exhibition is not always easy, but through this team approach, advisors provide mentorship, both academic and emotional, as well as a collaborative and creative

Students present their projects to the community.

partner. Each student receives individualized support and a personal cheerleader. Advisors encourage students to dig deeper, suggest a fresh perspective for a diary entry, or assist in adding a creative and personal spin to the oral presentation. This team approach extends further as well. Advisors are in constant communication with both teachers and

parents so that students feel fully supported and empowered. The Capstone Exhibition truly embodies a team approach to teaching and learning, something we do extremely well at Brimmer.

Ina Patel Lower School Director of Teaching & Learning

continued on page 8

Brimmer Eats

The Secret Ingredient Is Love

The Kitchen Team at Brimmer is a well-oiled machine. The reason we work so well together is that we all get along and have a passion for what we do.

Each team member has their own unique role and special skill set. Debbie oversees inventory and takes the lead on organizing supplies behind the scenes. She also serves Lower School lunch, encouraging our youngest students to try new dishes and greeting them with a smile. Joanna is the kitchen assistant, pitching in on all tasks needed for meal prep and helping serve food during our busiest lunchtimes. Melany is the Catering and Event Coordinator. In addition to her work in the kitchen, she manages all the details and logistics for our many events on and off campus. Taran is the sous chef. He collaborates on recipes and helps lead meal preparation each day. Luz oversees deli bar and snacks, while Martha takes the lead with the salad bar. They both ensure our community has many delicious options to choose from in addition to the hot meal. Patricia is our lead dishwasher, and she keeps things running smoothly between lunch periods—not an easy task with the number of dishes our community goes through! As the head chef and Director of Food Services, I oversee the entire process, making sure lunch looks and tastes great and is executed well. I plan each month’s lunch and special event menus. I have also redesigned current offerings, implementing a new freshwater system, flavored waters, and topping bars, in an effort to improve the overall dining experience.

While we each have our own responsibilities, everyone helps each other when needed, and that creates a better environment for all. As a team, we also laugh every day. There is no need for tension or for things to be difficult when serving lunch to children. We genuinely love what we do, and as we all know, love is the most important ingredient when making delicious food for our community.

Craig Roman, Head Chef & Director of Food Services

The Big Green Running Machine

A Long-standing, Magical Ethos

Brimmer Cross Country is on a decade-long roll. With eight Massachusetts Bay Independent League (MBIL) team championships in the last nine seasons (not counting the season knocked out by the pandemic) and six individual league championships shared among standouts Connor Reif ’18, Caiti Cullen ’18, and Brian Gamble ’23, the Big Green Running Machine (as the runners are collectively known around campus) is a juggernaut. I have been honored and humbled to oversee the program for the last 15 years, but a coach can take a team only so far; sustained success requires athletes doing the heavy lifting required to create and maintain a culture of inclusiveness and shared purpose.

At its first practice of 2009, the then-coed squad comprised just three runners, but by the end of that season, the roster had doubled, and the team surprised even themselves with a fifth-place finish at the championship meet. Excited by what they had achieved and eager to build on their success, that initial core of athletes began nurturing a close gemeinschaft that continues to this day, marked by an openness to anybody who wants to give running a try, a commitment to working to improve individual fitness, and dedication to supporting each other in pursuit of team goals, all while being exemplars of sportsmanship and grace. And it worked: the roster grew steadily as students caught wind of what was happening, veterans showed the

Li ne Segments, Bisectors, and Medians, Oh My!

Things Are STEAMing Up in Geometry

Brimmer Middle and Upper School students have been putting their understanding of geometry functions and concepts, such as bisectors, medians, reflections, and rotations, into action with the exploration of ComputerAided Design (CAD). Using the platform Onshape, students are introduced to 3-D modeling with the creation of unique triangular and hexagonal designs and patterns that are then extruded to reveal a three-dimensional object to be laser cut into wood or acrylic in the Makerspace. These designs serve as a base for a sculptural or print-based unit that each student designs and builds as the project unfolds. These semester-long collaborative projects culminate in stunning, large-scale installations such as the hanging mobile in the Hastings Center, the butterflies displayed in the Chase

Director of Food Services Craig Roman (far left) with his team, including (L-R) Melany Ferrimy, Martha Arroyave, Luz Restrepo, Joanna Mesa, Deborah O’Malley, Patricia Lopera, and Sous Chef Taran Gavran.

rookies what it meant to be a part of the team, and Gator harriers moved through the pack, claiming ever-higher finishing positions. After losing the 2012 league championship by just two painful points, the non-graduating captains held an athletes-only meeting the very next day at school and committed themselves to each other in making sure to never feel the sting of just missing again. A year later, they won Brimmer’s first MBIL cross country title in convincing fashion, and the Big Green Running Machine hasn’t looked back since.

Charles Li ’17, who joined the team as a ninth grader new to the Upper School and able to speak very little English, remembered one of his first practices when junior Kyle Anderson ’15 welcomed him in his native Mandarin, and “from that moment, even though surrounded by a foreign land, I felt at home and that I belonged on this team.” Similarly, Talia Hammer ’23 also underscored the profound influence veterans had on her, explaining, “In ninth grade I was a reluctant runner, and the upperclassmen terrified me, but the Big Green Running Machine was incredibly welcoming and supportive, and older kids like Anja Westhues [’20] and Sophia Spring [’22] were an inspiration to me.” Edan Zinn ’23 pointed to the kindness of seniors in helping him learn “the Brimmer way” and find easy comfort on a team with a potentially intimidating winning tradition: “I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from them and later, as a captain, step into their shoes and bright green uniforms—to be a part of the magic of this team.” That magic continues: this past fall, the combined boys and girls varsity rosters totaled 35 runners, and each of them inherited and added to all that makes this program so special.

stairwell, and the collage of Islamic art in the Dining Commons. In the case of the latter, ninth graders studying the history and culture of the Islamic world during the seventh—fifteenth century learned how geometric shapes can be multiplied to make dynamic patterns found throughout Islamic art and architecture. They used their laser cut wood patterns as block print stamps, applying brightly colored ink on fabric.

This kind of collaboration also demonstrates the wonderful benefits of a PK-12 school as last spring Upper School students made birdhouses for the Lower School to install in the Organic Garden. Through this interdisciplinary curriculum, students bridge

connections between terminology and concepts covered in their geometry class with the tools and functions of CAD modeling. This practice gives students the unique opportunity to transform their learned skills and concepts into a beautiful, collaborative, tangible object for the greater community to enjoy!

Lower School students display the beautiful birdhouses made by their Upper School classmates in the Makerspace.

continued on page 10

Ted Barker-Hook P ’23 Upper School History Teacher Head Coach of Brimmer Cross Country Team

Top: Coaches Georgia Crane, David Cutler ’02, Ted Barker-Hook P ’23, and Dona Rehm-Robles celebrate senior runners who will graduate this spring.; Bottom: The Brimmer Varsity Cross Country Team celebrating its third consecutive MBIL Championship win last fall.

Rupa Houndegla P ’21, ’26 Upper School Math Teacher

Kathryn Lee P ’32, ’34 Director of Innovation & Design Middle & Upper School Art Teacher

The

Dynamic Duo Driving Exciting Enhancements to Brimmer’s Libraries

WhenDirector of Library Services Elyse

Seltzer

and Lower School Librarian Stephanie Golas first met, they had a good feeling about the exciting ways in which they

might advance the School together. That gut feeling would quickly become reality as their partnership continues to engage students in experiences that foster a love of reading, offer exposure to the world of ideas, and develop the skills and critical thinking needed to be successful in finding, evaluating, and using information. They seek to create library collections and school resources that represent

the diversity within the School and global community, with protagonists that are identity affirming and display agency. They share the belief that these important tenants are building blocks that create lifelong learners, and they’ve spent the past few years refining their respective programs and spaces to align with their shared mission while relying on each as invaluable thought partners.

While they share an educational philosophy, their day-to-day work looks slightly different, due in part to the range of ages our School represents. Golas supports Lower School classrooms with responsive resources for an evolving curriculum, curating materials that expand the diversity represented in our collection. She greatly values her partnership with the faculty and enjoys supporting their teaching. A recent Faculty Innovation Grant winner, Golas used her grant to purchase a variety of audio-integrated books to help

Admissions Winning Team

The Impact of Ambassadors

Thispast fall, I went to Philadelphia to attend a World Series game. As a Philadelphia native and die-hard Phillies fan, this was incredibly special and a memory I will cherish for years. On the flight back to Boston, I found myself thinking about the ingredients necessary for a winning team. At the professional level, theoretically, all teams should be set up to win. They have the best players in the world, state-of-the-art facilities, and seemingly endless resources. So why do some teams win, while others struggle?

My brother works in the Phillies front office. Just two weeks prior, I had celebrated a Division Series win with dozens of employees, coaches, and broadcasters. I wondered how many people would ever think about the hard work (by countless individuals) that went into getting

to that moment. That evening—that game. It’s natural to only think of those on the big stage and not those behind the scenes. Yes, a baseball team will never advance to the World Series without a talented and deep roster. But has a winning team ever been successful without a devoted and exceptional coaching staff? What about the trainers, field crew, and scouts who quietly contribute to success?

While I may not encounter professional athletes in the hallway each day like my brother, I, too, am part of a winning team. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with a talented and dedicated team of professionals who care greatly about success and are equally invested in the prospective student experience. We could never do the work we do (and achieve our goals) without our own extended roster or front office.

We are incredibly fortunate to have some of the best ambassadors in the business. From student tour guides at the Middle and Upper School level to dozens of parent volunteers representing all 14 grades, we have a deep bench of dependable staff. From campus tours to phone calls and email exchanges, and even the occasional request to dress up as the Brimmer Gator, our ambassadors do it all. While we thank them at every chance we get, there are no words to fully express our appreciation and admiration.

The next time you are watching your favorite team, I encourage you to think about the individuals who contribute to its success. I know we will continue to be grateful for our winning team here at Brimmer.

Brian Beale P ’35, Director of Enrollment

Brimmer Librarians Stephanie Golas P ’36 (L) and Elyse Seltzer (R) collaborate weekly on their curriculum goals.

engage our young learners, and she has been thrilled to see these resources fly off the shelves this year.

In the Library Learning Commons, Seltzer helps guide our older students as they begin to explore more contemporary literature options. Like Golas, she is steadily increasing the range of diversity represented in literature while learning more about the cultural representation in the school to ensure that they are reflected in the collection. Her work as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Curriculum Liaison allows her to regularly connect with departments and teachers about how these new resources can support their curriculum.

Adding to the strength of their shared educational philosophy is a deep mutual respect and genuine joy in each other’s company. Summing up their two-person team in one word, their undeniable connection continues to reveal itself; without consulting, they respond with nearly identical answers: powerful and strong. This dynamic duo has more than doubled the impact of their superpowers through their close collaboration. Their partnership has enhanced Brimmer’s PK-12 library program in immeasurable ways, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Nicky DeCesare Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Buddy Groups

Building Connections in the Lower School

Designed to build community and facilitate leadership, Brimmer’s Buddy Program offers our youngest in early childhood the opportunity to be paired with our upper elementary students for a variety of activities throughout the year. From Buddy Walks to STEAM activities to pairing up for our beloved annual fall apple picking trip, the program intentionally builds meaningful and rewarding connections between our youngest and oldest Lower School students, both oneon-one and in small groups. It is no surprise that our alums list Buddy Groups as one of their top memories from Lower School.

continued on page 12

Sarah Wyllie Kindergarten Teacher

Lower School Buddies meet regularly throughout the year.

Parent ambassadors (top) and student tour guides (bottom) help the Admissions office tell the Brimmer story.

A Winning Team

continued from page 11

Meet the winning team that works (literally) behind the scenes of Brimmer’s exceptional Creative Arts department. A group of consummate professionals, they’re teachers and artists with impressive careers apart from their Brimmer gig. We’ve collaborated for so many seasons they are like family, but we’ve never put names to the long list of impressive craftspeople. Let’s meet the Production Team!

Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes

Laura Hildebrand

Lighting Designer

Master electrician, programmer, and freelance lighting designer, Laura spent her early theater days as a violinist in pit orchestras before slipping into the technical theater world at Princeton University. Having worked for the American Repertory Theater and Emerson College Office of the Arts, she is a lighting teacher at Brimmer and a lighting designer for Fox Sports News, recently lighting the commentators for the last World Series and the Super Bowl.

Kyle Olmstead Sound Designer

Colin McIsaac ’14

Technical Director

A former Brimmer student and an alumnus of the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts, Colin began giving back to the school that sparked his love of theater by assisting in the construction of our props and sets. Colin now handles the brunt of construction and assists in teaching our popular Stagecraft elective on how to do the same, while performing in stage and film productions around Massachusetts.

Kelly Teal Goyette Choreographer

Georgia Lagadinos

Costume Designer

With over 20 years of experience with students of all ages, Georgia has been designing costumes for our theater productions since 2014, including all Upper & Middle School plays, musicals, and set dressing.

Jenna McFarland Lord

Scenic Designer

Jenna has been designing sets for an impressive array of companies and educational institutions around New England (including Brimmer!) for over 23 years. “I’ve been working at Brimmer so long that I remember when I had to paint the set in the gym because there was no theater and no production shop,” she recalls. She has designed Off-Broadway and is a 2022 recipient of the Elliot Norton Award for set design.

Kyle has designed sound for productions at a range of schools and theaters in New England. Under renowned sound designer Frank Gaeta, owner of Sound For Film in Los Angeles, CA, Kyle has had the opportunity to work on films with actors and directors that include Matthew McConaughey, Catherine Hardwicke, Robert Pattinson, and Kristen Stewart.

A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Musical Theater, Kelly is our resident choreographer working with both Middle and Upper School casts. She has joined four international tours, including Annie , Beauty and the Beast , Grease , and Shrek , with regional work that includes playing Ursula in The Little Mermaid in Indianapolis.

Eric Kamen P ’20 Pianist, Composer & Teacher

A graduate of New England Conservatory with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance, Eric has been a member of our performance arts program since 2010 and accompanies our Lower School concerts. He has served on the faculty of Groton Hill Music Center as well as the Longy School of Music and has performed extensively around Massachusetts. Eric’s original commissioned compositions were performed at the Massachusetts State House, the Brattle Theatre, and on WCRB radio.

Caitlin is a knowledgeable theater artist, passionate about education, directing, and technical design. She has vast experience working with a variety of after-school programs and summer theater programs in Massachusetts. A recent graduate of Emerson College majoring in Theatre Education and Costume Design, Caitlin is assistant director for this spring’s MS Musical and a dramaturg for the Student Directed Play.

THE BAND

A former television and radio news anchor and reporter, David has been working in video and audio production for nearly 50 years, forming Daval Video Productions in 1991. Also a voice-over actor for both radio and television and a professional photographer, David has been videotaping Brimmer productions for over 33 years.

A member of the Brimmer Orchestra Pit for over 20 years, Dorothy is active in the Greater Boston musical scene as a music director, accompanist, teacher, and performer. With an extensive background in musical theater direction, she has prepared the casts and orchestras for dozens of productions. Dorothy has been the principal pianist for the Polymnia Choral Society for over 15 years and is Past President of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association (MMTA).

Landon

Electric Guitar

Landon taught instrumental music and video at Brimmer from 1999 to 2016, and continues to support Brimmer productions. “Playing in the professional pit band for the musicals was always a welcome addition to my busy winter-spring schedule,” he recalls.

Having performed in over 100 theater productions for local theaters and high schools, this will be his ninth year hitting the skins in the Brimmer Orchestra Pit. When not supporting Brimmer, he keeps the network running for Beth Israel Lahey Health and plays with his classic rock band, Vinyl Fix. He’s a proud dad to two theater kids and two equally dramatic cats.

Jeri

Jeri is an arranger/orchestrator for musical theater and an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music. A long-standing member of the Brimmer Orchestra Pit, she has been playing the clarinet for 45 years.

Rick Copeland Trombone

After graduating from UMass Amherst, Rick has been a Boston-area freelance musician and has performed with various chamber groups, musical pit orchestras, and regional symphony orchestras. Rick is currently the principal trombonist of the Video Game Orchestra and is on several major video game soundtracks such as Final Fantasy XIV and XV, Code Vein, and Re: Legend

Bill Jacob P

Creative Arts Department Chair

Caitlin Johnson

Makeup Designer & Costumer

David Medzorian Videographer

Dorothy Travis, Piano

Rose

Brian Flan Percussion

Sykes, Reeds

’06

spotlight on the Facilities t eam Meet the team that keeps Brimmer

running smoothly

It is nearly impossible to spend time on Brimmer’s campus and not cross paths with a member of this wonderful team. Their workday starts well before most step foot on campus. From driving the bus routes, to fixing what is malfunctioning, to maintaining and beautifying campus grounds, the Facilities Team supports all things Brimmer. “They are the heartbeat of School operations,” says CFO Julian Hickman. “They always go the extra mile with a smile to ensure that every School day, every event, and every field trip and athletics program goes off without a hitch. Their strength lies in their commitment to our community and each other. Each brings a unique skill and expertise to the team, and these traits are leaned upon to manage day-to-day work efficiently.” We hope you enjoy learning more about this indispensable team.

TOM BRAY

Manager of Operations & Facilities What do you love about your job?

I love that my job is different every day. We do a little of everything, from setting up and taking down events, to driving School buses, to diagnosing HVAC problems. There is both a daily and a seasonal rhythm to the job, but each day brings an unexpected challenge. I also love being a part of a team and having the opportunity to teach what I’ve experienced. I feel like the stewardship of this School has been passed to me, and I’m preparing to pass it on. I like knowing that the Facilities Team is an important

part of the overall team effort to support the education of these kids.

After 30+ years on staff at Brimmer, what have been some of the most significant changes you’ve witnessed on campus?

The School was a lot smaller back then! My first year at Brimmer was the first year that the graduating class contained boys. The construction of the Corkin Theatre was just beginning in the Chase building, and a few years later the Almy addition was built, extending underneath Middlesex Field. The School purchased and developed Orr

Field, giving kids another option for practice after School. The old barn that held our woodshop was developed into the Corkin Art Barn. Today, it’s hard to imagine the School without these spaces. Of course, some of the faces have changed, but the constant is the spirit. The feeling of community at Brimmer has not changed.

TOM SCHMOTTLACH

What do you love about your job?

I love the diversity of tasks requiring all kinds of skills and problem-solving. Each morning, we drive the buses to pick up students. The rest of the day might involve electrical work, plumbing, or woodworking; the School grounds are in constant need of attention. Teachers and staff keep us busy with special requests, and there are always special events that need setting up. The job stays interesting and challenging. Having first taught at Brimmer, I enjoy connecting with colleagues and viewing the community from a different perspective. Our Facilities Team is dedicated, respectful, and fun to work with, and we share many stories and laughs throughout the day. There is also flexibility within the team. If anyone needs to be out, one of us will step in and help. You could not ask for a more supportive team.

The Facilities Team includes (L-R) Tom Bray, Douglas Landeverde, Eric Smith ’99, P ’35, Rafael Salazar, and Tom Schmottlach.

As an educator (and former Brimmer faculty), how do you continue to connect with students in your day-to-day work?

Many of our Lower School students remember me from my teaching days, and I often hear a “Hi Tom” or “Hi Mr. S” when walking around campus. Some of my former students still attend Brimmer, and I see them daily. They have grown into young adults, and it is wonderful to see what they’ve accomplished whether in academia, the arts, or sports. I enjoy the occasional conversations when passing in the hall, eating lunch, or driving them to sports practices and games. I have maintained a connection to my love for teaching by joining the afterSchool tutoring program, working with Brimmer students to help develop their math skills and confidence in math.

DOUGLAS LANDEVERDE

What do you love about your job?

I like that I am never working in one place. Being able to work around the entire campus is very satisfying and stress-relieving.

As the newest member of the team, what have been your first impressions of Brimmer?

One of the first impressions I had was that people were very kind and welcoming to me. The School feels much bigger in size than it actually is. Kind students and dedicated faculty and staff make Brimmer a great School.

RAFAEL SALAZAR

What do you love about your job?

I have been at Brimmer for six years now. I began working in the dining room helping the kitchen staff keep things stocked and clean. I spent that first year getting trained to drive buses. Of everything I do for Brimmer, it’s driving the bus routes that makes me happiest. I love interacting with the students, getting to know them, and being a part of their lives.

I have a great relationship with the entire Facilities Team—we have each other’s backs.

Everyone is kind and supportive. I feel like I can say anything to these guys, and they will give me the best advice. I love being in a professional learning environment—I learn so much in my day-to-day interactions with faculty, staff, students, and even their parents. When I’m not driving, I help to keep the campus beautiful and everything running smoothly. I go where I am needed!

With your love of both bus driving and landscaping, how do you build relationships with the Brimmer community on your routes and throughout your day?

Because I drive all three bus routes as well as the afternoon buses to sports, I have a chance to get to know a larger group of students. These kids are my responsibility, and I need to keep them safe. As a result, we have developed a great relationship. They trust me and treat me with respect. I remind them often that we all need to care about one another, and I know they listen. Sometimes they board my bus with a frown, but they almost always leave with a smile. When I’m back on campus helping with landscaping, these kids always stop to say hi. I feel good because I know I am a part of their day. I help them start or end their day with a smile, and they are equally a part of my life as well.

ERIC SMITH ’99, P ’35

What do you love about your job?

There is never a dull moment. We’re always doing something different every day. I’m always learning new things, and I love the challenges that lie ahead.

As both an alum and a current parent, you have a unique perspective on all things Brimmer. What has stood the test of time since you were a student here?

What has stood the test of time is the community. I see it with my son when we walk into School, the hellos and greetings from teachers and kitchen staff to students of all ages. Brimmer was a smaller School when I was a student; I knew almost everyone on campus, and it still has that vibe today. ■

Tom Bray

Douglas Landeverde

Rafael Salazar

Tom Schmottlach

Eric Smith ’99, P ’35

Seizing the Opportunity

Ambition, determination, and drive take AJ Reeves ’18 all the way to the NBA

By Joseph Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18, Assistant Head of Academic Affairs

On the coldest night of the winter, I drove up to Portland, Maine, with my wife, Jill, to attend our first NBA G-League Basketball game. Actually, we drove up to see Andre Reeves, Jr. (AJ) ’18, who, after four years at Providence College, had garnered a professional contract with the Maine Celtics. This night was all about numbers: 15 miles per hour on Route 128 on the stretch of I-95 between I-93 and the Danvers Split at rush hour; a temperature drop from +14 to -2 degrees as we crossed two state borders; a 7:00 p.m. game time; 1,928 and 979 points—AJ’s career scoring totals at Brimmer and May and Providence College, respectively.

The number 1,928 appeared in my head because I had checked the 1,000-point club banner in the Brimmer gym during halftime of the Varsity II (V2) Boys Basketball game against Beaver Country Day School the day before. Impressively, AJ’s point total sits first on the alltime scorers list. I let him know about the V2’s overtime win against Beaver when I spoke to him that same night, and he was very happy to hear of it. He is, of course, still a big Brimmer hoops supporter. “I love that. I love getting a win on Beaver. I would have scored a 100 on them. Beaver never wanted to play us when I was there.” As they shouldn’t have, I thought.

Doing the math, his average total was 482 points a year for 4 years. His Brimmer Varsity I Basketball teams (V1) played a total of 100 games, but AJ played fewer than that because he injured his back in his freshman season, and it took some time to recover. Nonetheless, he was a prolific scorer, averaging 20+ points a game and earning a place on the NEPSAC

Class-AA First Team despite never playing in a tournament game during his career at Brimmer. The pièce de résistance for AJ was securing the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year Award in his senior year, a singular honor for a Brimmer alum.

While driving through the Hampton, NH, tolls, I asked my wife if she remembered anything in particular about AJ when she taught him in Biology class during his freshman year. “He was a good kid and good in class,” she recalled fondly. A peek at his transcript, however, reveals that English was his best academic subject that year. But outside the classroom, on the basketball court, is where he really excelled, and over the next four years AJ would become a four-star basketball recruit—one of the best to come out of Brimmer and May—and a young man with a clear goal for himself: play ball at the next level. And the next level after that.

AJ started his high school years at Swampscott High School. Despite “having game,” he didn’t make the varsity team initially. He was understandably disappointed, admitting, “After tryouts, I played JV. I went home and cried a little bit.” That disappointment didn’t last long, as several Varsity players soon found themselves ineligible, and AJ was moved up. He explains, “Six games later, I was starting on Varsity. I ended up getting the ‘Best All-Around Player Award,’ which was made up for me because they gave a senior named Chad the Team MVP Award.” That “Michael Jordan” moment set him on the basketball mission he pursues today.

AJ came to Brimmer the following fall, reclassing as a ninth grader. He joined my advisory at the start of his sophomore year and continued on page 18

At Left: AJ Reeves ’18 warms up before a Maine Celtics game in January; Above: Celebrating with Assistant Athletic Director Tom Nelson at his graduation from Brimmer in 2018.

Seizing the Opportunity

continued from page 17

my last year as the Upper School Head. With seemingly half his classmates, he often spent Morning Break in my office to listen, chat, and hang out with friends, and he always came to see me for morning check-in and scheduled meetings. During basketball season, many of those mornings were tough because of the team’s travel schedule and late practices. He was very tired and quiet during those times, but I had no problem with that. He was listening to the information offered, was getting his work done, and was doing what he loved in the afternoons. He had goals, and he was getting after them.

AJ turned up the heat in the classroom and put together his two best years of study in his junior and senior years. As he rose up in the classroom, he rose up even higher on the basketball court. While he began to find a recurring place on the Honor Roll, he also started making an impression on the court in his summer play with the Mass Rivals Basketball Club and during the winter with his Brimmer teams. During those years he played with six or seven teammates, two of whom were college-bound players (Ju’Quan Mills ’17, Babson College, and Jordan Minor ’19, Merrimack College), two of whom were

college-level recruits (Stone McLaren ’18 and Jimmy Yfantopulos ’18), and three of his classmates, Ethan Eastwood ’18, Grant Iuliano ’18, and Dylan Rigol ’18. AJ often carried the scoring load for the Gators while his teammates provided support, but he was so good at scoring that college coaches the likes of Villanova’s Jay Wright pulled up a front-row seat in the Brimmer gym to watch him play.

AJ’s athletic talent extended beyond the basketball court. In the spring of his freshman year at Brimmer, AJ played the first of his two years of baseball and won the first of his two-league championships. In his senior year, he played again, and I was his coach at the time. In the championship game against Gann Academy, he was inches away from making the most spectacular catch of the season. Had his coach positioned him better, he would have done so, as he chased a screaming shot deep in the left-centerfield gap that just skipped off the fingers of his glove. Watching it, my jaw dropped to see him even get to it. He was happy when we closed out the win and clinched his second championship with seven of his classmates. He was excited when I recently reminded him of his baseball seasons. “I should have caught it; I was on a dead sprint,” he said. “[Those championships] showed that I left my stamp on Brimmer. I

really wanted that. I am super happy that we won those championships.”

When asked to reflect on his time at Brimmer, AJ says, “Brimmer allowed me to be comfortable in any new situation, prepared me for college, and allowed me to be myself. Brimmer helped me find myself. Everything kind of clicked for me when I was 16. It was just a confidence boost in freshman and sophomore year.” I told him we were heading off on our first Winterim trips since 2019 and asked if he had any advice for our current students. He was quick to say, “Go somewhere with your friends where you want to have fun. If you are going to another country, have fun with it.” When he was a freshman he took a trip to Italy, on which I joined him as a chaperone, and as a junior he went to Cuba during the short period it was open to student tours. In August of 2019, AJ traveled abroad again to Lima, Peru, while a college student and a member of the USA Basketball Team that won bronze during the Pan Am Games.

After graduation, AJ chose to play near home at Providence College (PC), where he scored those 979 points, and in my house, PC men’s basketball games were appointment TV. Jill and I watched the games, often giving PC Head Coach at the time Ed Cooley an

unfortunately unheard earful of advice about getting AJ the ball more but also seeing AJ, year by year, become more confident in his game, more skilled as a player, and more poised and centered as a young man. He grew up before our eyes at Brimmer, and then grew up again before our eyes on television.

In his freshman year he was named Big East Rookie of the Week three times, and as documented on the PC Basketball website, he “…[s]cored 29 points as he shot 10-13 from the field, including 7-9 from three-point territory to set a PC freshman scoring record in an opener versus Siena.” He was so el fuego on the court that year, that the NBA scouts sat up and took notice. At one point during that season, I had a phone call from a scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder who wanted some background insight about AJ as a person—for the NBA draft. While I have done reference phone calls in the past for current and former students and advisees, this phone call was a bit different. However, this was a layup for me. I got to talk about AJ and pump his tires to an NBA team, and everything I told them was just genuine AJ—his smile was in front of me the whole time I spoke.

In his senior year at PC, he and his team made a run into the NCAA tournament that he says was just the best basketball experience ever — just so much fun. And about not taking a fifth year of eligibility in college, he says, “I have no regrets. The landscape of college basketball is tough. You can’t recruit. Everybody is trying to hit the transfer portal.”

Having completed his undergraduate degree with a major in Sports Media and Management, AJ remains intent on further developing his mind, and he is doing a lot of reading. Currently, he is taking on The Art of

War, the ancient Chinese military disquisition on the war strategy written by Sun Tzu in the 5th century BC. As his former teacher of International Relations, I was quite impressed, though when asked, he had to admit that he didn’t remember a whole lot from that class. I smiled and felt the pain at the same time. Later I looked up the grade report comments I had written for him and found this one from the second semester: “[AJ] was also a contributing strategist and sometimes provocateur in the

Risk game, though in the end his team failed to take over the world as we ran out of time to complete the contest.” Perhaps with more time and The Art of War under his belt then, AJ and his Risk teammates Kimberly Santos ’18 and Michael Hastings ’18 would have run the Risk board. But now, with time and The Art of War in hand, AJ has firmly set his sights on running the boards as a professional basketball player in the NBA G-League.

In July of 2022, AJ registered his first professional points in Las Vegas as a member of the Celtics Summer League Team. He re-signed with them in October as an “affiliate player” on the Maine Celtics roster, a designation that allows him to remain a free agent, available for any of the 30 NBA teams to sign. AJ has what is called an Exhibit 10 contract, which is a one-year, minimum salary agreement between the NBA club and the player. Such a contract is good for both

At Left: (L-R) AJ Reeves ’18 in his first Brimmer basketball season, during senior year baseball, and with his mother Louise at Senior Dinner in 2018.

Above Top: AJ in the Brimmer Senior Lounge in 2018; Above Bottom: Assistant Head of Academic Affairs Joe Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18 with his senior advisees (L-R) Jack Donnelly ’18, Sophie Lapat ’18, and AJ Reeves ’18.

Seizing the Opportunity

continued from page 19

the club, allowing flexibility and the ability to maintain control of a prospective player, and for the player, who becomes a paid professional basketball player with the possibility of gaining exposure and experience and the chance to move up to the parent club if they play well.

Being a professional basketball player is a dream come true for AJ, but it is also a lot of hard work. He says, “It feels really, really good. I’m learning the game—it’s a very different

deep freeze before we got inside. With seats for 3,000 fans, The Expo was about three-quarter filled for the game. The game floor looked relatively new and was laid over an older wooden floor which looked to have seen better days. A halo of lighted square advertisements for NAPA Auto Parts and cPort Credit Union shined above the stands alongside a ceiling that was a mesh of I-beam rafters and plastic covered, industrial-strength HVAC. It wasn’t The Garden, but it was filled with a fanbuzz, pre-game anticipation, and two dozen professional basketball players, AJ Reeves ’18 being one of them.

us and smiled once again. Frankly, he has one of those smiles that you just can’t see too often. We said hello, and he reached out and gave Jill a big hug and then grabbed my hand and gave me a hug, too. He looked great in the uniform and seeing him on the court was just familiar territory. He belonged there. We didn’t linger because he had to get ready to play, but as we walked around the far end of the court toward our seats, we saw him once again smile and toss a ball to another youngster. It came back with a smile. Swish. Another assist. Another smile from AJ.

I hadn’t seen AJ play live since his freshman year at PC when they played Boston College that December. Being a BC graduate school alum, I would normally root for BC, but not in this game. BC had not been good since the Al Skinner days, and AJ was playing for PC. And did he ever play. He scored 24 points on 4 for 9 shooting from three-point land, including a game-tying deep 3 with 4 seconds on the clock at the end of regulation. PC went on to win in overtime. It was exhilarating. But in January he got hurt and had short minutes in 4 of 5 games, scoring 24 points only one more time over the final 16 games of the season. A bad wheel is a difficult condition to adjust to for a baller.

game than college. I am working on improving my ball handling and shooting off the dribble. And off the court—I’m reading to sharpen my mind—hence, The Art of War.” He does this reading in his hotel room in Scarborough, Maine, a short, 10-minute ride down the highway from the Expo. Of life in Maine, AJ says, “It’s nice. Very different than what I am used to, though. I like it. It’s quiet and there are a lot of deer. It’s cold. I don’t see myself moving up to live in Maine, but the food is really good up here.”

The brass-tacks titled Portland Exposition Building where AJ’s team plays is over a hundred years old, and the second-oldest arena in continuous operation in the United States. Fortunately, we found a parking space adjacent to the building and had a short walk in the

To get to our seats behind the home team’s bench, we had to circumnavigate the court, one of the quirks of the Expo’s layout. Luckily, the route took us right to AJ who was warming up launching three-point shots from the corner at the far end of the court. From a distance one could easily see that his shooting stroke has gotten even smoother than when he was scoring 20 a night at Brimmer and dropping threes in Big East arenas from Providence to Omaha. As we approached him, AJ flashed a natural smile and pointed to a young fan in the front row to ready himself for a pass. The ball went softly to the boy, who had a big smile as well, and then was passed back to AJ for the shot. Swish. Assist to young fan. Big, beautiful smiles all around.

We smiled too, and then AJ looked up and saw

Approaching 24 years old, AJ is listed at 6’6” and 205 pounds in the Maine Celtics game day program. He says he is on a serious lifting regime three-four days a week. A photo of him in the team uniform shows AJ with new muscles but two familiar characteristics: a green uniform and his million-dollar smile. Next to the photo, his briefly narrated basketball resume begins with these opening words, “A four-star recruit in the 2018 class out of Roxbury, Mass. and Brimmer and May School…”

The game that night was against the College Park Skyhawks, the Atlanta Hawks G-League team. AJ started on the bench. At halftime the score was College Park 60, Maine 39, and AJ had not registered a minute. The Celtics porous defense and poor shooting had combined to build the deficit, and the coach found no solution. In my mind, he hadn’t looked far enough. In the second half, AJ watched from the bench but clearly itched to get on the floor and help his team. At each substitution and

time-out, he high-fived his teammates and encouraged them to keep working hard. The game ended as an 18-point loss for the Celtics, who never came closer than 9 points in the second half—three 3’s from AJ would have taken care of that.

Of his teammates, AJ says, “My team is pretty cool. A lot of these guys I have played with in summer league and at camps.” But most are several years older than AJ, who is one of only three young players on his team. As Brimmer Coach Tom Nelson points out, “He’s young. Everybody on that team has been playing for years, and [the Maine Celtics] just picked up Tony Snell; he’s thirty-something years old!” (Since 2013, Tony Snell has played over 600 games with 7 different teams in “The Association” and is now back in the G-League.) Making playing time tighter, at the start of the season, the team could have put five shooting guards out for the starting lineup if it wanted to. The competition for time is fierce, the DNPs discouraging, but AJ’s focus remains firmly on his goals.

The game is essentially the same at all levels—put the basketball into the hoop, take care of the basketball, play defense, and rebound—it’s just that the speed, athleticism, and size increases exponentially as one heads into the professional levels. The coach needs to strategize for the opponent and read the game as it happens in front of them. The players need to be ready to play when they get the call to go into the game. On this night, however, firstyear Maine Head Coach Alex Barlow elected to rotate through 9 of his 12 players, and AJ recorded a DNP Coach’s Decision. He’s had to contend with a few of those this season.

He had a talk with his coach before the season and told him he didn’t want to know ahead of time what his role would be in a game. He would just make himself ready for whatever time he had. “It’s about mindset,” he says. “When you are here, everybody is good. It’s just

about your mindset and what you are capable of. We are probably 30 games into the season; it’s not about a talent thing; it’s about being ready. I learned that freshman year in college. I just had to be who I was—smiling, happy.”

After the game when we talked, I could see his disappointment and felt it, too. It brought me back to conversations with my sons when they had to sit through a college baseball game where they knew they could have helped. It’s frustrating to be an athlete, and even more so when one has been an engine that helps drive teams so much of the time. I told AJ I had thought about walking down behind the bench and giving the coach some advice about how to read the game but knew that would not have gone well. I just so badly wanted to be able to help him, even more than when he was my advisee at Brimmer.

“It’s extremely hard,” he said. “As a competitor, you always want to be in the game. It’s a mental thing—being mentally locked in the whole time. You can’t lose your confidence. You have to have a swagger to yourself.” As we shook hands and said good night, I offered my last bit of encouragement, “Keep your head up, AJ. Keep working.”

“I will. You know I will.” And he flashed a bit of that beautiful smile. He will. I know he will.

The next night, the Celtics beat the College Park Skyhawks 132-108, and AJ played for four minutes, taking two shots but not scoring. Happily, Brimmer faculty members Nancy Bradley, Chris Hardman, and Pete Slaski, each of whom made the trip to Maine to see him play, had the opportunity to see him wearing green out on the court. ■

At Left: Reeves ’18 excelled during his time as a Providence College Friar (photo credit: Jay Coney Visuals); Above: Upper School Math Teacher Pete Slaski P ’34, ’36 traveled to Maine with his kids to see AJ play.

Exploring the World (once again!) Through Winterim Brimmer’s signature experiential learning program returns

Zip-lining in Costa Rica.

Community Members Anticipate Winterim’s Return

By Nico Jaffer ’23, Sports Editor for The Gator

In addition to the educational experience students engage in with the program, Winterim represents the image of the School as a whole, according to Neely. As Director of Global Studies, Neely has coordinated the program for over a decade.

For Neely, the trips offer a chance to impose a positive image of the School on other countries. “This program gives us the chance to connect with schools and people around the globe, which helps us to share the Brimmer experience,” Neely said. “Additionally, it allows students to learn about the way others learn and communicate in other parts of the world.”

Portugal trip leader and Upper School English Teacher Don Reese also discussed what he expects to be the most exciting aspects of the trip. “I went to Lisbon with my wife three years ago for a conference, but it was really an unforgettable experience,” Reese said. “Portugal is a country steeped in history and culture, but I’m specifically excited to see the slave market museum and Chapel of Bones.”

The following article was written last fall for The Gator, Brimmer’s student-run newspaper.

For the first time since 2019, the School is bringing back one of the most celebrated and exciting biennial events: Winterim. In the last four years, Winterim has been canceled, replanned, replaced, and remodeled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this year, the School announced that it will finally offer Winterim, a moment long anticipated by students and faculty. After an extensive process of review and consideration, Winterim Coordinator Kelly Neely and the School’s Board of Trustees have determined safe areas fit for student travel.

Winterim, since being introduced in the 1990s, has long stood as a highlight of many Upper School students’ years. The roughly one-week domestic and international trips have provided opportunities for students to explore new sights, learn about diverse cultures, and bond with their classmates every other year.

As the program has expanded for nearly three decades, Upper Schoolers have explored a range of countries. In recent years, the program has offered trips to areas such as France, Italy, China, and England. However, the School is constantly looking for new cultures and locations to explore, according to Neely.

“Being a global citizen means taking the opportunity to learn about the world no matter where you are, and that is one of the primary goals of Winterim,” Neely said. “This year, faculty chose places we’d like to learn more about. In either case, these are experiences we’re looking forward to sharing with our students.”

This year, the program will offer a new excursion to Portugal, and over two dozen students have signed up. One of those students is Ugo Adiele ’23, who expressed his excitement about being on the trip.

“I’m extremely excited for the trip because it’ll be an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone while also being surrounded by people I genuinely like,” Adiele said. “I also don’t travel often, so it’ll be a great chance to try something new and explore an incredible country like Portugal.”

For trip chaperone and Upper School Science Teacher Zoë Stublarec, who is experiencing Winterim for the first time on the Portugal trip, she hopes the program will offer an opportunity for inter-grade level interaction. “I think these trips are a great opportunity to build community across the grade levels,” Stublarec said. “Experiences like this are unique to places like Brimmer, and students and faculty alike are going to create memories that will last a lifetime. Portugal is a beautiful place, and I’m looking forward to going back there and reexperiencing the culture!”

As a whole, community members report that Winterim is an exciting facet of the School’s programming. In the future, Neely hopes that the trip will remain a lasting memory for every student, no matter where they end up traveling. “Winterim is one of the experiences that alums repeatedly tell us was a transformative part of their time in the Upper School,” Neely said. “No matter whether or not students are traveling with people they know or to places they know about, they will have the chance to learn something new about the world and themselves.” ■

The Original Will and Harry: Shakespeare’s London (with a Little Potter Mania)

Students had the tactile experience of engaging with the source material for some of the most memorable works in English literature.

Iceland: Natural Wonders

Students traveled the traditional Golden Circle Route and its popular attractions, including geysers, waterfalls, geothermal wonders, and Northern Lights.

Step Back in Time: Lisbon and Lagos, Portugal

From Roman ruins to pastel-colored castles, students explored a sample of everything in this small country with a long, influential history in seamanship. continued on page 26

Boston: How Well Do You Know This City?

With visits to local news and media stations as well as local state government, students had a chance to explore what makes our historic city tick from the inside out.

History and Art in France: Paris, the Loire Valley, and Normandy

Students practiced the French language, explored world history, and immersed themselves in French culture.

Los Angeles: Spotlight on the Arts

Students explored the entertainment, performing arts, beautiful beaches, and landmarks of Southern California.

Costa Rica: Environmental Sustainability and Experiential Learning

Students discovered the natural wonders of Costa Rica with an eye toward environmental sustainability and ecological tourism.

Puerto Rico: Island of Natural Wonders

Students explored the diverse ecosystems of Puerto Rico with a balanced combination of natural wonders and cultural and historic sites.

as an Act of Resistance

Creating space for balance and joy in the Library Learning Commons and the Upper and Middle School curricula

By Elyse Seltzer, Director of Library Services

DEIB Curriculum Liaison based in part on the School’s Strategic Priorities 2020 & Beyond, which promises to “review and revise our current curriculum through a lens of cultural sensitivity.” This school year, we also published a three-year DEIB Strategic Plan. In it, we strive to “assess the Curriculum for representation of a range of identities and regions” and “support implementation of inclusive and equitable teaching practices.” I am particularly interested in these two priorities. To support the curriculum in grades six through nine with research and resources, I work closely with teachers to ensure their curriculum aligns with the range of identities in the School. I’ve found that it is much easier to plan an inclusive curriculum when you know you have the materials to back it up.

I also collaborate with colleagues on strategies for implementing inclusive and equitable teaching practices, including incorporating anti-bias teaching practices. For example, in a humanities course that studies history through diverse perspective and brings to light the lack of equity throughout, we help by shining a light on the moments of agency and power of marginalized groups rather than focusing solely on the oppression and trauma that is put upon these groups.

This year’s theme, Finding Balance, Finding Joy, aligns perfectly with the Brimmer Libraries’ goal of ensuring that our collections and resources feature protagonists that are identity-affirming, display agency, and represent the diversity of our School and global community. I believe that people should be able to find joy in all parts of their identity, and I want everyone to feel

celebrated. In my role as Director of Library Services and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Curriculum Liaison, I achieve this through the books I purchase for the library, the resources I put out to the community, and by collaborating with colleagues on curriculum.

I developed a similar goal for my work as

When I was a kid in school learning about Black history, I was taught about slavery and its horrors, Jim Crow laws and its oppression, and the civil rights movement and the violent attempts to suppress it. However, the moments that stand out to me are moments of light, power, and agency: the quilt project celebrating Black people and my piece

on Josephine Baker; my sassy memorized recitation, “Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuff, she wasn’t scared of nothing neither. Didn’t come in the world to be no slave and wasn’t gonna stay one either.” (I typed that from memory!); Honey, I Love and other poems by Eloise Greenfield; and learning of those on the Amistad who led an uprising against their captors.

This year for Black History Month at Brimmer, we celebrated Black Joy while the country looked at the theme of resistance. I believe they are one and the same. A line from Black feminist Poet Toi Derricotte has become famous: “Joy is an act of resistance.” As systems of oppression work to terrorize marginalized groups, acts of joy show that, try as they may, we will not be kept down.

We are in a renaissance of publishing right now. It used to be hard to find books representing a historically marginalized group without the protagonist’s identity being a problem. A West African proverb says, “The lion’s story will never be known as long as the hunter is the one to tell it.” Now increasingly publishers and related imprints are producing books written by people of color that celebrate the richness and diversity within a community. Kwame Alexander, Black poet and writer of The Crossover fame, started an imprint called Versify. According to HarperCollins, “Versify publishes books that explore the beauty, hurdles, and hopefulness of life... books that will engage, entertain, and empower young people to imagine and create a better world.” Established in 2018, Versify immediately started publishing awardwinning books such as The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson, Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack, and Vamos: Let’s Go to the Market by Raúl the Third (a past Bissell Grogan Symposium speaker).

Cynthia Leitich Smith, a Muscogee authorcurator, started Heartdrum, an imprint centering Native and First Nations stories, authors, and illustrators for kids and teens. According to their site, “Heartdrum offers a wide range of innovative, unexpected, and heartfelt stories by Native creators, informed and inspired by lived experience, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes.”

Versify and Heartdrum are just two examples of the changes taking place in the publishing industry that bring balance and joy to stories that once focused solely on oppression.

It’s important to acknowledge that curriculum is more than just materials. Curriculum is also how teachers engage with students in their classes and the atmosphere that they create in the classroom. This is why I aim to make the library a welcoming space where people can get what they need; a quiet, productive space to get work done or access to resources to help with their work, be it books, textbooks, math lab, a writing center, a learning center, or time with tutors. To provide moments of lightness and joy I offer quiet games to play and puzzles. We celebrate heritage months and cultural holidays with displays of books, visual materials, and activities, and we offer opportunities for community members to share what brings them joy about their culture or their celebrations. These have become meaningful examples of balance and joy in the library and in my work.

Being a librarian brings me so much joy. I find joy knowing that Brimmer is a place that honors kindness, respect, and equity, and that our students can enjoy books that are simultaneously being removed from the shelves of schools around this state and the country.

While I hold tightly to the joy in my work, I hold space for balance, too. There is a Ghanaian concept called Sankofa, which has been invoked in equity throughout our country. Sankofa is the idea that to move forward you must also be able to look back and receive from the past. If we only celebrate joy, people may not understand the historical context of why it is necessary to spotlight certain groups. As educators, we know that heavy topics weigh more, and the joyful ones are lighter. In order to provide our students with the most equitable educational experience possible, we must honor both. ■

At Left: Students happily puzzling during a free period; Above Top: Black History Month display on the windows of the Library Learning Commons; Above Middle: Community art project; Above Bottom: In October, students had the opportunity to stop by the library and make a lantern for Diwali.

Brimmer & Artists For Humanity (S)TEAM Up! Expanding the design process beyond the classroom

walls

By Kathryn Lee P ’32, ’34, Director of Innovation & Design

innovation and design, we feel incredibly lucky to continue collaborating with Brimmer year after year.”

Headed into its third collaborative year, Brimmer’s partnership with Artists For Humanity (AFH) offers 11th and 12th grade students a unique opportunity to work with mentors in the 3-D design studio, designing and building installations for our School as part of AFH’s STEAM To Schools initiative. Introduced in 2019, this exciting program brings Brimmer students together with AFH, a well-established, Boston-based nonprofit that employs and commissions high school students from the Boston area to create artwork, murals, and sculptures for diverse businesses and organizations.

“As one of our first STEAM To Schools partners, Brimmer has played a foundational role in this pilot initiative, which is now serving 150+ students annually,” shares AFH Program Director Lizzy Mayer. “Brimmer students and staff have embraced our entrepreneurial model and design collaborative, approaching each project with open minds and offering creative solutions to the design needs and parameters. Witnessing each unique process and final product that students and AFH mentors create is truly inspiring. With the School’s core focus on

With Brimmer leadership serving as their client, our student designers work alongside AFH mentors to plan, brainstorm, and design a large-scale, one-of-a-kind sculpture to be permanently installed on the Brimmer campus. They have the opportunity to visit AFH studios in South Boston to construct their original design using various fabrication methods, such as welding and large-scale CNC routing.

For each project, students begin the design

process in the winter by brainstorming and identifying needs within the Brimmer community. Our first collaboration, the Gator Bench now installed on Middlesex Field, was designed to be a unique place for students to watch athletic games, sit and chat during recess, or soak up the sun with a book. It was Director of Middle & Upper School Library Elyse Seltzer who planted the seed for our next project, a Little Free Library. The design team loved the idea of creating a community-wide resource using the iconic shape of our gym roof as the inspiration for its form. Under the guidance of our AFH mentors, our designers spent each weekly meeting brainstorming,

At Left and Right: Students building the Little Free Library last year that will be installed on campus this spring.

Photo Credit: Artists For Humanity

Artists For Humanity

continued from page 31

designing, revising, planning, presenting, and making decisions about fabrication techniques and materials. All this preparation came together last spring, when our 12th graders spent the month of May at the AFH studios building the final design as their Senior Project.

As a result of this program, we have seen firsthand the AFH model and mission in action, and we support the important work the organization does for young people in Boston. “My favorite part of what we do in studio is helping students realize their agency through thinking critically about, creating, and modifying the world around them,” explains AFH mentor Dyllan Nguyen. “Each person brings their unique skills and perspective to our

Partnering with AFH has provided our students with an incredibly creative and purposeful learning experience. Working together on such an entrepreneurial endeavor, our students experience the design process firsthand on a scale that expands and celebrates their capabilities well beyond our classroom walls while leaving a lasting mark on our community for years to come. ■

projects, sharing their knowledge and learning from each other. The Brimmer projects are particularly special as the two pieces we’ve designed so far have been contributions to the campus, a gift that students get to share with their school community and feel proud of as they move on to the next phase of their lives.”

What a fantastic opportunity for our students to collaborate, learn from professional mentors, and experience new skills while leaving a lasting mark on the Brimmer community.

Below: The first completed project, a Gator Bench, debuted on Middlesex Field in spring 2021. L to R: Avery Alperin ’21, Marianne Alagos ’21, Kat Klacko ’21, and Betty Wang ’21. Inset: The finished sculpture.

Photo Credit: Artists For Humanity

bissell grogan symposium 18th annual

Balancing School, Self, and Life

By Sue Cuyler, Director of Marketing & Communications

Keynote Speaker

Rebecca Pacheco P ’35

Meeting the Moment: A Talk & Meditation for Balance & Joy

Introduced by Sylvia Tejada ’23

Renowned author and mindfulness practitioner Rebecca Pacheco P ’35 brought the perfect blend of energy and wisdom to her keynote presentation, bringing students literally to their feet in the process. Mixing wise advice with hands-on meditation and yoga exercises that had students out of their seats and stretching in sync, Pacheco shared how people of all ages can find balance and joy in their lives, something we strive for every day.

Having spent decades exploring the topic of mindfulness, Pacheco understands how challenging it can be to find balance and joy in a world filled with mounting stress and anxiety, especially for young people. “Where shall we look for these qualities,” she asked our students. “Do we look inward? Do we look outward towards family, friends, and those who bring out the best in us? Perhaps we seek it onstage, on an athletic field, in a lab, in an art studio, or in nature?” The difficulty, she noted, is that most people are either trying to relive memories and events or they are speculating about what might happen in the future. “The answer is simpler than that,” she shared. “The presence of balance and joy can only be found in the present reality.”

While Pacheco has been using mindfulness for decades to decrease stress and increase resilience, she hasn’t always had such clarity. As a struggling teenager overloaded with the pressures of high

school, she gravitated towards yoga at a time when most Americans had never heard of it. “I started practicing yoga before it was popular and cool [in this country],” she laughed, adding that yoga studios and even yoga pants, for that matter, did not yet exist. It took years before she could connect the dots between the stress she was experiencing and the relief of the mindfulness she was practicing. Seeking out the origins of the practice, through Eastern philosophy courses on Buddhism and Hinduism, helped tremendously to ground her and draw her in.

MINDFULNESS:

The awareness that arises from paying attention on purpose to the present moment, nonjudgmentally.

After leading the audience through a oneminute meditation exercise, Pacheco read an excerpt from her book, Still Life: The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living, sharing some of the benefits of meditation. “You feel less stressed,

Opposite Page Top: Rebecca Pacheco P ’35 leads her audience through a mindfulness exercise; Opposite Page Bottom Left: Head of School Judy Guild with Symposium namesake Kennie Grogan ’76; Opposite Page Bottom Right: Symposium Committee members included (L-R) Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School Carl Vallely, Director of DEIB Jessica Christian P ’33, ’35, Head of School Judith Guild, Keynote Speaker Rebecca Pacheco P ’35, Kennie Grogan ’76, Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17, and Head of Upper School Joshua Neudel P ’30.

Rebecca Pacheco P ’35 is the author of Still Life: The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living and Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life. She has more than 20 years of experience practicing and teaching yoga and meditation and has helped people of all kinds find steadiness and joy, including: Olympians, NBA players, firefighters before running into burning buildings, pop stars and ballerinas before going onstage, healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID crisis, and educators and students of all ages, from pre-K to college. She is a graduate of the Loomis Chaffee School and the University of Richmond, where she studied English Literature, Eastern Philosophy, and Gender Studies. She lives in Boston with her husband and daughter—a student in Brimmer’s Lower School.

On January 17, the Brimmer community came together for our annual Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium. While our Virtual Speaker Series over the past two years was a wonderful and engaging way to reimagine the Symposium during the pandemic, we were thrilled to join grades 8-12 once again in the Corkin Theatre for a keynote address on Balancing School, Self, and Life. Following lunch, Upper School students participated in related workshops across diverse fields of interest, including nutrition, hiking, brain science, and the art of ikebana, to name a few. “Every year, I continue to be impressed by the relevance of the topic and the quality of the speakers and workshops selected by the Symposium committee members,” remarked Symposium namesake Kennie Grogan ’76. “This year’s superb keynote address by current Brimmer parent and author Rebecca Pacheco P ’35 was particularly relevant to this year’s School theme, Finding Balance, Finding Joy. It was engaging, uplifting, and such a positive way to kick off 2023.” continued on page 36

Workshops

Balancing School, Self, and Life

So You Want to Make a Difference?: How to be a balanced change agent

Aliza Berger, Ordained Cantor & Rabbi

Fueling for School, Sports & a Busy Life: How to make a good athlete great

Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., Sports Nutritionist, Speaker & Cookbook Author

Brainzzz: Why (and a little bit how) to get better sleep

Dr. Garth Coombs, Preceptor in Psychology at Harvard University

Exploring Our Community through Digital Mapping

Dr. Matt Gallon, Brimmer Middle School Dean, Middle & Upper School Science Teacher

Brain Matters: Understanding yourself through neuroscience

Dr. Elizabeth Kensinger P ’31, Author & Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Boston College

Body & Soul

Megan R. Mays, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC

The Hidden Power of Your Mind

Karen Norgaard P ’34, Author & Life Coach, Certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) & Hypnotherapy

Energy Leadership for Success

Francisco Pérez-Landaeta P ’34, MBA, Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) & Energy Leadership, Certified Professional Coach

Ikebana: The Creative Zone - Japanese Flower Arranging

Kaye B. Vosburgh, Ikebana Teacher & Author

Loose Toenails & Majestic Vistas

Ted Barker-Hook P ’23, Brimmer Upper School History Teacher

Jared Smith, Brimmer Middle & Upper School Science Teacher

Kenley Smith, Brimmer Upper School English Teacher

Vision Boards

Lisa Summergrad, Brimmer Director of College Counseling

Dona Rehm-Robles, Brimmer Associate Director of College Counseling

Just Breathe

Dr. Tatyana Souza P ’26, ’30, PhD of Immunology, E-RYT 500, Founder of Coolidge Yoga

THE BISSELL GROGAN HUMANITIES SYMPOSIUM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2006 IN HONOR OF KENYON BISSELL GROGAN, FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND BRIMMER GRADUATE OF THE CLASS OF 1976. THE GOAL OF THE SYMPOSIUM IS TO BOTH EDUCATE AND ENGAGE STUDENTS IN RELEVANT TOPICS OF TODAY. AN ANNUAL EVENT ATTENDED BY STUDENTS IN GRADES 8–12, IT COMMENCES WITH A KEYNOTE SPEECH AND IS FOLLOWED BY WORKSHOPS THAT EXPLORE A DIVERSE RANGE OF SUBJECTS ON A CHOSEN TOPIC.

Bissell Grogan Symposium

you sleep better, your blood pressure goes down, you make better decisions, you become a better listener to yourself and to others… you live your life rather than life living you.”

Offering students the opportunity to get up and try a little yoga, Pacheco modeled a series of stretches and pointed out that these examples of mindfulness are accessible and available to everyone every day. Just

the act of pausing to breathe in and out for one minute is both simple and impactful. “Our minds can be like a glass jar full of muddy water,” she described. “When shaken up with the events of the day, our minds get cloudy. But when we pause, the silt settles to the bottom and our minds clear.” Acknowledging again how difficult it can be to find joy in today’s rage-filled world, she reminded the audience that joy is out there.

“It will find you as long as you are paying attention,” she promised.

Pacheco closed her presentation by sharing a loving-kindness meditation from the Buddhist tradition. Prefacing that the words should first be turned inward and then shared outward, she repeated the following: May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease. ■

Above Left: Middle & Upper School Science Teacher Dr. Matt Gallon presents on Digital Mapping; Opposite Page and Above Right: Students practice the art of ikebana; Bottom Left: Megan R. Mays, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC; Bottom Right: Karen Norgaard P ’34 leads students through a mindful moment.

Opposite Page Top Left: Francisco Perez-Landaeta P ’34 shares leadership tips; Opposite Page Inset Top Right: Aliza Berger, Ordained Cantor & Rabbi; Inset Bottom Right: College Counselors Lisa Summergrad and Dona Rehm-Robles present on vision boards; Opposite Page Bottom Left: Middle & Upper School Science Teacher Jared Smith shares his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail; Opposite Page Bottom Right: Students create vision boards; Top Left: Dr. Elizabeth Kensinger P ’31; Top Right: Sports Nutritionist Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D.; Bottom Left: Dr. Tatyana Souza P ’26, ’30 shares some yoga expertise with students; Bottom Right: Dr. Garth Coombs presents on sleep psychology.

Harvestfest

Our annual School-wide event celebrates fall in New England!

brimmer in the school year 2022-2023

By Elizabeth Smith P’17, Director of Development

When I reflect on the 2022-2023 school year, “we’re back!” is the phrase that comes to mind. After three years of pandemic-related program changes, our students have had their most “normal” year on campus since 2019, and the Alumni & Development Office has been concentrating on community building with parents, grandparents, alumni, and trustees. Our office hosted a wonderful Homecoming on Orr Field, a Board of Visitors Day with record attendance, the annual Alumni Holiday Party, our Ring Ceremony with a breakfast for our juniors and their parents, and our signature Coffee House in Corkin Dining Commons, to name a few. We visited alumni in both New York City and Florida and will be hosting exciting spring events including our Community Celebration &

Auction as well as Alumni Day. Over the past three years, we haven’t been able to host these events on campus, and it feels so good to see so many of you and hear what you have accomplished during the pandemic.

Working with the Board of Trustees and Head of School Judy Guild, we continue to oversee the progress on the Strategic Priorities 2020 & Beyond. Last summer, in addressing the strategic need to maximize the use of

space on campus, we were able to fund the renovation of Cummings Hall and now our 4th and 5th grade classrooms are modern, more spacious, and flexible. It is nice to see the strong relationships forming between the upper elementary classes as a result of this more efficient building dedicated specifically to those learners. This work was possible thanks to a generous donor. Stay tuned for more campus facilities and health and wellness plans in the future.

Above: The Brimmer Development Team celebrates together at the Alumni Holiday Party in December. (L-R) Advancement Associate Mark Sehnert, Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell, Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22, and Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17; At Right: Parents Association Co-Chair Stella Rupia P ’26, ’32 and her daughter join Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P’17, Advancement Associate Mark Sehnert, and Director of Annual Giving Sharin Russell at Homecoming in the fall.

We are grateful that as of this writing in March, we have already raised $901,238 for the 2022-2023 Annual Fund with high levels of parent and alumni support. We hope to be significantly over the $1 million mark by June 30th as the community continues to give our Board and Administration the flexibility to pivot and make decisions to fund initiatives and programs School-wide throughout the year. A strong Annual Fund affects the most important aspects of the Brimmer experience for today’s students: faculty salaries and professional development, financial aid, classroom technology and materials, a wellmaintained physical plant, a healthy and high-quality lunch program, and strong PE, athletics, and arts programs. Remember: you have until June 30th to contribute to the Annual Fund—all gifts count and all gifts matter.

As mentioned, we are back to our cherished alumni events. We hosted an alumni evening in NYC in January (see page 79) and traveled to see our alumni on the east and west coasts of Florida in February (see page 79). If you live in another area of the country where other

Brimmer alumni live, please let us know. We may visit your area next.

We are looking forward to The Great Outdoors, our Community Celebration &

website and your email for the invite and schedule. The day will be packed and include a student vs. alumni basketball game; reunion class gathering time; a state of the School talk by Head of School Judy Guild; presentation

Auction in April, outside and under the tent on the Middlesex Road field. By the time you read this, our parents, alumni, trustees, and faculty will have enjoyed fire pits, games, food trucks, drinks, and silent and live auction items. As always, there is an online component as well, so everyone can play a part. Proceeds will benefit student financial aid and faculty professional development.

Alumni Day is coming up on Saturday, May 13, with special reunions for those classes ending in “3” and “8.” Please consult the

of Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame awards, Arts Hall of Fame awards, and the Alumni Recognition Award; a cocktail party and dinner under the tent on the field; and more. Please come back to see your classmates, Brimmer administrators, and your favorite teachers.

The year has been busy and exciting, and we can’t wait to see many of you in person this spring. Thank you for believing in the power of a Brimmer and May education and to our alumni who have stayed connected in a variety of ways over the years. ■

A strong Annual Fund affects the most important aspects of the Brimmer experience for today’s students.

HOMECOMING

Head of School Judy Guild with Lower Schoolers and the Brimmer mascot

Dieter Gartner ’22, Brian Barrera ’22

Sarah Smith ’17 and Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17

Director of Alumni Affairs Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22

Ugonnaya Adiele ’23, Haripriya Mallidi ’23, Talia Hammer ’23, Alison Rimas ’23

Zac Singer, Zakkai Mares-Van Praag ’22, Marlo Frank ’22, Sophia Spring ’22, Kelly Rimas ’22, Asher Jaeckel ’22, Eli Singer, Dieter Gartner ’22, Brian Barrera ’22

Solomon Tsegai P ’26, ’32, Abe Woldeselassie P ’30, ’32

Our amazing kitchen crew (see page 8 for more)

Ady Jaeckel ’25, Conno Wagner ’25, Ben Dykeman ’25

Asher Jaeckel ’22, Business Office Associate Christian Stratter

Upper School Play Peter and the Starcatcher

“[Peter and the Starcatcher] is a prequel to Peter Pan. We find out how Hook lost his hand and how Peter learned to fly. I love the scary components of the play,” said Director Bill Jacob P ’06, adding that he has wanted to “produce this play for a long time.”As opposed to last year, where the cast rehearsed in masks, the new mask-optional policy made play rehearsals a lot more convenient. The actors were filled with enthusiasm to bring the story to life. “I just love how funny the play is. I think a lot of actors [did] a great job at portraying comedy,” said Ugo Adiele ’23, who played Peter.

—Cathy Wu ’25, Reporter for The Gator Photos by Edan Zinn ’23

Middle School Play Captain Fantastic!

“Captain Fantastic! is a comedy about a boy whose obsession with comic books begins to have an alternative impact on his life,” said Director Andrea Underhill-Curtin. Margaret Bourgeois ’27, who [played] the character of Mrs. Mayberry, describes the piece as “a fun and entertaining show full of comic book heroes and just a few villains.” The cast really enjoyed the process of putting on this show. “Rehearsals are so much fun,” Bourgeois said. “Everyone is so nice and well-cast.”

—Marlie Kass ’23, Reporter for The Gator

Photos by David Barron, Oxygen Group

Lower School Fall Community Performance

The Brimmer Lower School Creative Arts department was pleased to have the Fall Community Performance back in person! The program, Finding Joy, was inspired by the school year theme, Finding Balance, Finding Joy. Throughout the fall semester, creative arts classes revolved around a diverse range of literature that inspired the art, music, drama, dance, stories, and poetry that our students shared with the audience. Students made personal connections to the concept of “joy” and contributed their own thoughts about joy to create the original text that was incorporated into the performance.

Winter Band Concert

Head of Upper School Joshua Neudel P ’30 says, “Students brought that positive energy into the Winter Instrumental Music Concert, where we enjoyed the sounds of the Middle and Upper School ensembles. The sweet sounds coming from their instruments built on the highs of the Winter Pep Rally [earlier in the day]. Congratulations to Dr. Ostergard and the members of the ensemble!”

Circles 19: Coffee House

The School welcomed its annual Coffee House event back to the Dining Commons in January, a beloved event where students, teachers, and alumni enjoy performing in front of an audience of their peers. Highlights included three poetry readings, a traditional Indian dance, and a sing-along finale with the entire audience. “This is the first time since COVID that we have been able to have it back in the dining room with a live audience. Last year, we had it in the theater with no live audience,” said Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob P ’06. “A coffee house traditionally is a place where people can come together and perform for each other. [It is] like no other performance or concert that we have at this School.”

—Edward Flint ’26, Reporter for The Gator

Holiday Concert

Our Winter Holiday Concert was a joyful celebration of the season! The Upper School Ensemble, Fourth and Fifth Grade Chorus, May Chorale, Greenline, and Faculty and Staff Choir filled our theater with beautiful music, and a highlight was when all our groups joined together for the finale, “Ring in the New Year.”

Photos by David Barron, Oxygen Group

award-winning artists

We join the Creative Arts department in congratulating the following artists for receiving coveted 2023 Scholastic Art Awards. These outstanding results stand as one of our most successful years, including a record-breaking number of awards per individual. We are so proud of these recipients, as well as everyone who submitted work to this highly competitive contest. Brimmer artists are doing amazing things!

—Kathryn Lee P ’32, ’34, Director of Innovation & Design Middle & Upper School Art Teacher

Zak Adler, Femur Gold Key Photography

George Demeter, Apples Honorable Mention Painting

Zak Adler, Apex Silver Key Photography

Grace Doodeman-Kandiah, Cranes Silver Key Photography

continued on page 64

Thomas Gheewalla, Traced Silver Key Photography

Grace Doodeman-Kandiah, Basement Gold Key Mixed Media

Rachel Sobel, Her Honorable Mention Photography

Rachel Sobel, Watching Honorable Mention Photography

Thomas Gheewalla, Holed Out Honorable Mention Photography

Award-Winning Artists

continued from page 63

Rachel Sobel, Nineteen Silver Key Photography Portfolio Rachel Sobel, Offset Silver Photography

Rachel Sobel, Experiment Honorable Mention Photography

Edan Zinn, Divided Gold Key Photography

Edan Zinn, Flag Honorable Mention Photography

Edan Zinn, Beach Day Gold Key Photography

Edan Zinn, Subway Honorable Mention Photography

Edan Zinn, Low Tide Gold Key Photography

temple fair winter 2023

Celebrating the Lunar New Year and Year of the Rabbit with arts and crafts, games, and prizes for all ages

board of visitors day

Finding Balance, Finding Joy

We were thrilled to welcome our Board of Visitors (BOV) back to campus this past fall for the first time in three years! Our BOV, including former trustees, alumni, parents, educators, and friends, was treated to a student panel discussion, a keynote address from Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School Carl Vallely, remarks from Head of School Judy Guild, and a beautiful performance from Greenline, Brimmer’s award-winning Upper School student choral ensemble. “It was wonderful to have our Board of Visitors back on campus after two years of Zoom,” says Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17. “We are grateful that they were able to see our students and faculty in person and stay informed about the Brimmer of today.”

Lower School: Celebrating the Grades 4/5 Athletic Program

Athletic Director Brett Kelly joined Head of Lower School Kimberly Formisano and Head of Upper School Joshua Neudel P ’30 to share details about Brimmer’s new Grade 4/5 Athletic Program, which featured a video showcasing some of our young student-athletes.

Middle School: Amazonian Biotope Aquariums

Jaedin Feaster ’28 and Annie Washko ’28 shared the impact that Dr. Gallon’s aquariums had on their Grade 6 science curriculum. These large tanks, purchased last fall thanks to a 2021 Innovation Grant, have enriched Brimmer’s science curriculum by building a living model of an Amazonian freshwater ecosystem, including the specific fish, invertebrates, plants, sediments, and water conditions found in the Amazonian River Basin.

Upper School

Edan Zinn ’23, featured in the fall issue of Brimmer Magazine, shared life as a senior at Brimmer by both reflecting on his 14 years at Brimmer and sharing highlights of his Upper School years. From his work as CoEditor of Brimmer’s student newspaper, The Gator, to his photography, sports, and theater, Zinn described the balancing act that is a Brimmer senior.

KEYNOTE

Challenging Our Students with Unanxious Expectations in an Increasingly Anxious World

Carl Vallely, Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School

Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School Carl Vallely spoke about why creating a supportive learning environment is especially important for today’s students and took guests through the unique ways that Brimmer creates “unanxious” expectations in the classroom. He shared how Brimmer’s educational philosophy has for many years aligned itself with principles that create “a tone of decency and trust” between teachers, students, and families, resulting in a school culture defined by collaboration and partnership and focused on student growth.

Vallely painted a picture of success for our students that looks quite different from the one that many of our guests experienced when they were in school. He described how the student-centered pedagogical frameworks used by Brimmer faculty, such as backwards curriculum design places and project-based learning, give students the opportunity to engage deeply on topics of interest and develop several different competencies beyond simply memorizing content. Differentiated and personalized instruction along with a 6:1 student to teacher ratio and a well-developed system of academic and social-emotional support in and outside the classroom empower Brimmer faculty to tailor the educational experience to different learning profiles.

“When students are met where they are and moved forward in their learning, learning

outcomes improve,” Vallely explained. Our BOV left with an understanding of how the enduring hallmarks of a Brimmer education continue to support holistic student growth in changing times. ■

CONGRATULATIONS TO VARSITY BOYS XC ON WINNING THE MBIL CHAMPIONSHIP (SEE PAGES 8-9 FOR MORE!)

FALL AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Kaylee Little ’23

Varsity Girls Soccer

IGC Co-Player of the Year

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Sophia Horning ’25

Varsity Girls Soccer

IGC League All-Star

Maliyah Pierre ’28

Varsity Girls Soccer

IGC League All-Star

Mikayla Pierre ’24

Varsity Girls Soccer

NEPSAC Junior All-Star

Sevak Glorikian ’23

Varsity Boys Soccer

MBIL League All-Star

NEPSAC Senior All-Star

Zak Adler ’23

Varsity Boys Soccer

MBIL League All-Star

NEPSAC Senior All-Star

Xavier Claiborne ’24

Varsity Boys Soccer

MBIL League All-Star

Lucas Williams ’25

Varsity Boys Soccer

MBIL League All-Star

Brian Gamble ’23

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MBIL Most Valuable Runner

All-NEPSTA Division IV All-Star

Edan Zinn ’23

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MBIL League All-Star

Xoren Livingston ’23

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MBIL League All-Star

Huck Jennings ’25

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MBIL League All-Star

Isaac Morris ’26

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MBIL League All-Star

IN THE PAPERS!

Kaylee Little ’23 received Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Recognition this fall for her participation on the Varsity Girls Soccer team. She was named the IGC League MVP after recording 21 goals and 9 assists for the Gators this season. The two-time All-League selection finished her high school career with 51 goals and 28 assists.

Brian Gamble ’23 received Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Recognition this fall for his participation on the Varsity Boys Cross Country team. The 2022 USATF National Youth champion finished an undefeated season by winning a second straight NEPSTA Division IV title and a third straight MBIL MVP honor. Gamble set three course records in his senior season and will run at Yale University.

CONGRATULATIONS TO VARSITY II BOYS BASKETBALL FOR CLENCHING THE MBIL D2 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CURLING TEAM FOR SWEEPING ALL FOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BRIMMER HISTORY!

student-athletes commit to ncaa division I colleges & universities

In January, the Athletics department held a celebratory ceremony during Middle and Upper School Morning Meeting to recognize two members of the Class of 2023 who have committed to NCAA Division I athletic programs in their respective sports. Brian Gamble ’23 will attend Yale University starting this fall, where he will join the Men’s Cross-Country and Track and Field team. Quinn Nielsen ’23 will attend the Citadel and join the Men’s Basketball team. Athletic Director Brett Kelly invited Varsity Boys Cross Country Coach Ted Barker-Hook P ’23 and Varsity I Basketball Coach Tom Nelson onstage to deliver remarks about these student-athletes’ achievements and character, and Kelly wished the athletes the best of luck next year as they compete at the highest level in collegiate athletics.

Top Left: Brian Gamble ’23 celebrates with Coach Ted Barker-Hook P ’23 (L) and parents Cindy and Paul (at right); Bottom Left: Athletic Director Brett Kelly welcomes the Brimmer community to the commitment ceremony; At Right: Quinn Nielsen ’23 celebrates with Coach Tom Nelson (L) and mother Britta (at right).

Winter Gatherings

Alumni Gathering at Upland, New York City

Front Row (L-R): Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17, Mahlet Woldemariam ’95, Head of School Judith Guild, Caroline Bell ’18, Chloe Berlin ’20, Ella Meranus ’20, Anja Westhues ’20, Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22; Back Row (L-R): Jennifer (Truscott) Tarantino ’07, Michael Laskaris ’07, Holly Eaton ’09, Caroline Bell’s guest Jason, Sam Eigerman ’19..

Palm Beach, FL

Great to reconnect with our alumni at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL. Back Row (L-R): Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73, Head of School Judy Guild, Director of Alumni Affairs Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22, Samantha Strauss Hanman ’02, Katie Maloney ’84. Front Row: Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17, Carol Croffy ’67, Nancy Lemcke ’50.

Jennifer (Truscott) Tarantino ’07 and Michael Laskaris ’07

Samuel Eigerman ’19 and Anja Westhues ’20 speak with Head of School Judith Guild

Mahlet Woldemariam ’95 (L) with Head of School Judith Guild

alumni holidayparty

Members of the Class of 2023 with Head of School Judy Guild

Ali Fischer ’12 and Mario Kula ’09

Hanna Pastor Feldman ’11, Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School Carl Vallely; Marlo Frank ’22

Director of Enrollment Brian Beale P ’35 (center) with his former advisees. At Back: Mark Gasperini ’16; Front (L-R): Simon Acevedo ’16, Jacob Quiles ’16, Sarah Smith ’17, Raymani Walker ’17

Trustees Rich Mynahan P ’19, Marsha MacLean P ’27, ’28, Leslie Stimmel Guggiari ’73

Director of Development Elizabeth Smith P ’17, Grace Papas ’23, Sarah Smith ’17

Jack Nathanson ’23, Marlie Kass ’23, Haoyu (Jerry) Dong ’23

Trustee Susie Durocher P ’18, ’21, Former Head of Lower School Thomas Fuller, Lauren Lapat P ’18

Victoria Foster ’12, Director of Alumni Affairs Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22, Simon Acevedo ’16, Jaye Giglio ’12, Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley, Corey Murphy ’12

brimmer (& listens!)

Faculty and staff share more of the books and podcasts that brought them joy this year.

I learned a lot about biology and plants in an easy-to-digest way. There are prompts throughout the chapters that encouraged me to pause and think about the way in which I engage in the world through my interactions with plants, animals, and people. I admit that I tend to be very humancentered, but this book helped show me how being more thoughtful towards plants and animals can greatly benefit humans as well.

Elyse Seltzer Director of Middle & Upper School Library

I saw the author speak twice in one day at a conference in October, bought her book that day, and read it in about two days. What’s great about this book is that those who are committed to the work of undoing what history has negatively done to the sisterhood of women of all races (and the siblinghood of all people of all races) will get something different from this book depending on how they identify racially. But regardless of race, it is a book that unapologetically lays out race-based microaggressions while still clearly paving a hopeful path forward. It’s a quick and excellent read.

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

The release last fall of this new book was perfectly timed to the start of our school year as it fit nicely with our theme, Finding Balance, Finding Joy. I was so touched by this book. The words and illustrations are so moving, meaningful, and inspirational that I had tears in my eyes while reading it. I immediately recommended it to Ms. Wolf Heyman and the Creative Arts team who used it as the basis for the Lower School’s Fall Community Performance. The picture book, which is beautifully illustrated by the exceptionally talented Rafael López, is an adaptation

for young readers of TheBookofJoy also co-written by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu.

Stephanie Golas P

’36 , Lower School Librarian

For more photos of the Fall Community Performance, see pages 54-55.

I just finished this retelling of David Copperfield set in early 2000s Appalachia during the onset of the opioid crisis. The narrator is wonderful—the right blend of naive malapropisms and jaded insight—and the coming-of-age story finding pride in the “hillbilly” identity was compelling. I actually listened to the audiobook and found the narrative voice worked perfectly.

Lisa Summergrad Director of College Counseling

This story of friendships built through playing and later designing video games was the first book in a long time that I wanted to reread as soon as I finished it.

The prose is beautifully written and captures the reader’s attention from page one.

Kimberly Formisano Head of Lower School

This story is written in the perspective of two women growing up trying to deal with their own baggage. Both have very different upbringings but meet on two different occasions. What was interesting to me was the instant connection they made on their first meeting. Yerba Buena is first mentioned in the book as a plant and later as the name of a restaurant. Spoiler alert: there is a happy ending! I really enjoyed this.

Nancy Bradley, Mathematics Department Chair

This is a touching multigenerational novel about a Palestinian family, the Yacoubs, displaced from their home in Nablus, Palestine, in the wake of the Arab Israeli Six Day War. I enjoyed how the story is told from multiple points of views with alternating chapters devoted to different family members across three generations—from the grandparents to the grandchildren. Each chapter begins a few years from the previous, which is sometimes difficult to follow, but we are then caught up on what has happened as the chapter weaves in past events. Unlike typical refugee stories we may read or hear in the news, this is a story of a normal middle-class family uprooted by the horrors of war twice over (first from the war in Palestine, then from the war in Kuwait) and who end up moving to Amman, Paris, and later to Boston. It’s about how the displacement shapes their sense of selves and allows them to form a strong connection. Despite the indescribable sadness of losing home and the countless separation, there is a part of the family dynamic that is recognizable in every family, which is why I found the story so touching. As NPR writes, “This is an example of how fiction is often the best filter for the real world around us.” Hala Alyan is a poet and her poetic language and attention to detail and experience are reflected in the beautiful prose.

Géraldine Naddaff P ’15, Lower School French Teacher

Based on a recommendation from Head of School Judy Guild, I recently read this story about a woman with a brilliant scientific mind and her journey from chauvinistic male-dominated labs in the 1960s to being the popular host of a “scientific” cooking show. It was fun and thoughtful at the same time, and I got so drawn in, I hated putting it down when I needed to.

Cecelia J. Pan P ’16 Science Department Chairperson, Director of Educational Initiatives, Co-Director of Faculty Recruitment & Mentoring

I always enjoy a historical biography that shares a personal story within the context of a cross section of history. This is the story of JP Morgan’s personal librarian for the collection he was building. The twist is that he hires a woman whose family has decided to pass as white due to their light skin. The book takes you through the stories of how the librarian joined New York’s upper society, balancing the life she is trying to lead in order to support her family with the betrayal she feels as a Black woman pretending to be white.

Joshua Neudel P ’30 Head of Upper School

Brimmer Reads

continued from page 83

I really enjoyed this podcast series. I listened right around Thanksgiving, and it inspired me to start paying more attention to this year’s World Cup! The story follows Lionel Messi’s career and the ways in which leaving Argentina at a young age shaped his experience playing on the Argentina National Team. The host, Jasmine Garsd, also connected Messi’s story to her own immigrant experience in a way that transformed the series into much more than a typical sports story. Watching Argentina win the World Cup this year was so much more exciting having listened to this podcast!

Caroline Scheibe Lower School Music, Chorus & Band Teacher

This book of poems by Porsha Olayiwola, the poet laureate of Boston, examine issues of race, gender, body image, and family.

I read two of the poems out loud

at our Coffee House in January and the students seemed to respond well.

Kenley Smith Upper School English Teacher

The year is 1940 and a little-known period of American history is presented dazzlingly by narrator Rachel Maddow. Episode one opens with the mysterious death of US Senator Ernest Lundeen.

An important and vital podcast to hear that tells the tale of a plot to overthrow the American government from the inside.

Gemma Kevaney Grade 4 Teacher

ElyseSeltzeriscurrentlyrunningapodcastclubfor3rd and4thgraders,andshesharesthreefavoritesbykids

forkids:

HeyBlackChild is produced by a family through the voices of a brother and sister team. This season, they are focusing on great firsts by Black people throughout history and today.

This well-known podcast has been around for a while—it takes stories written by kids and turns them into comedy sketches with additional filler segments in between. My family enjoys the kids’ stories the most, so we like to jump to those.

Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of American History at Boston College, has written this daily newsletter since 2019. Offering historical context for current US political events, she describes it as “a chronicle of today’s political landscape, but because you can’t get a grip on today’s politics without an outline of America’s Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.” I strongly recommend subscribing for those who want to understand the times we are living in.

While I have not listened to this podcast, I imagine it is equally excellent. Richardson and co-host Joanne Freeman “use their encyclopedic knowledge of US history to bring the past to life. Together, they make sense of the week in news by discussing the people, ideas, and events that got us here today.”

Joseph Iuliano P ’14, ’15, ’18 Assistant Head of Academic Affairs

I enjoyed reading this story of love versus war, and while it has a tragic ending, it is well worth the read.

Dedicated commuter Don Reese, who absorbs many podcasts on his way to and from Brimmer, shared his top two:

This podcast takes classic stories from around the world and gets kids from across the globe to tell the story playing different roles.

Elyse Seltzer Director of Middle & Upper School Library

Reporting from small-town Vermont, these beautiful little interviews with everyday folks are not at all mundane. Along with her skill as an interviewer, Heilman is really, really good at editing each episode.

This is an insane project: a history of Anglophone literature and its roots from the beginning of writing to present day. A true celebration of literature, each episode is about two hours, with goofy songs thrown in at the end of each. Metzger just released his one hundredth episode!

Don Reese English Department Chair

Leonard Wholey Upper School Math & Engineering Teacher

Class Notes

1958

Catherine Spinale Rieger

“Hello and all my best to my classmates,” writes Catherine.

1959

Mary Cooper Little

“I have many fond memories of the Class of 1959. I was there when we moved from Brimmer Street out to Chestnut Hill. The entire School was in the one beautiful home at 69 Middlesex Road. Our homeroom was on the top floor, and in the spring, we would have the windows open overlooking the garden. It was pure magic to this then 17-year-old student.”

1975

Durrie Durant Golding

“Had a wonderful birthday gathering with classmates over a weekend in October last fall to celebrate all of us turning 65!”

1988

Amanda Spooner Eppers

“While in NYC for a recent NAIS conference, I ran into former Brimmer classmate Annie Weitzman Kandel ’88! We had a wonderful time catching up on the last 35 years, and we plan to see each other at our 35th reunion this spring. Annie is married with three children and is working at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.”

2001

Ting-Wai “Alex” Tsoi

“Happy CNY Holidays 2023! The new house finally completed renovation in Guilin; nine hours of smooth ride driving home with full loads of stuff from Shenzhen, helping to set up new furniture, cooking, drinking, bringing kids out, happy family dinners, and watching CNY Eve on TV. Life is simple, but we are all happy. We wish everyone shares the same joy in the world. Love and Peace. Happy New Year of the Rabbit!”

Elijah Kinney ’23, Ta’Quan (Tay) Williams ’23, Xoren Livingston ’23, and Kaylee Little ’23 at the Alumni Holiday Party in December. For more photos, see pages 80-81.

Above: Alex Tsoi ’01 and family in China.

Right: Amanda Spooner Eppers ’88, P ’22 (L) with Annie Weitzman Kandel ’88 at the NAIS conference in January.

2007

Alex McSweeney

“I’ve been at Arnold Worldwide, an advertising agency in downtown Boston, for seven years working on the Progressive Insurance account (you may recognize Flo from the commercials). I’m a VP Marketing Director and was recently nominated to be part of the Havas NextGen 5.0 leadership program. Because of this award, I’ll be traveling to Europe three times this year starting with London in March!”

20 10

Patrick Pierre-Victor

Patrick was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Mentorship Award from Streetwise Partners, a nonprofit that leverages mentorship to increase adult employment opportunities in under-resourced communities. Patrick moved to Atlanta, GA, in the fall of 2022 and is a partner operations manager at Highnote Platform, focusing on network billing and analytics.

20 12

Ali Fisher

Ali accepted a position with marketing agency Advantage Solutions as AnheuserBusch’s Market Manager in Boston. She runs the sampling program around the city along with managing a large team of Brand Ambassadors. With her background in fine dining and hospitality, she is excited for this new adventure!

20 17

Raymani Walker

After graduating from Skidmore College in 2021 with a degree in Human Health and Physiological Science, Raymani moved to Northeastern University to pursue a

second degree in Nursing. He completed his degree and passed his nursing exams last fall and recently moved to Washington, DC, where he began his nursing career at a major hospital.

20 19

Jared Heller

“I am incredibly happy to announce that after graduating from Haverford College this spring, I will be joining McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst in their Philadelphia office!”

Michelle Levinger

Michelle is a senior at Sarah Lawrence and is looking forward to graduating this spring.

Alex McSweeney ’07

Raymani Walker ’17 at his graduation from Northeastern University last fall.

Michelle Levinger ’19 having a great day at the Holiday Market complete with a curling rink.

continued from page 87

IN MEMORIAM

DAY CAMP (ages 4 - 11)

SPECIALTY CAMPS

STEAM Into Summer (Gr. 3 – 5)

Dungeons & Dragons (Gr. 5 – 8)

Basketball Camp (Gr. 5 – 8)

Game Cubes: Cubing Camp (Gr. 5 – 8)

Eco Extreme (Gr. 5 – 8)

Soap Box Derby (Gr. 5 – 8)

Build a Fort (Gr. 5 – 8)

Photography Camp (Gr. 6 – 8)