Times of Brunswick Summer 2011

Summer 2011

Advanced Science Research Program Launches at ’Wick Spring Fashion Show Channels Chic at La Dolce Vita What Brought Mike Geller ’98 Back to the Farm?

Summer 2011

Brunswick School 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel: 203.625.5800 BrunswickSchool.org H e a d m a s ter Thomas W. Philip D i r e ctor o f D e v e l o pm ent Thomas Murray E d i to r - i n-Chief Bonni Brodnick bbrodnick@brunswickschool.org C l a s s N otes Editor Libby Edwards ledwards@brunswickschool.org S p o rt s Editor Diana Samponaro dsamponaro@brunswickschool.org C o n t r i buto rs Rhonda Bonom, Diane Briggs, Krista Bruce, Libby Edwards, Courtney Kennedy, Amy Kundrat, Leslie Lopez, Jarrett Shine C o n t r i buting Writers Richard Beattie, Nancy Better, J. P. Bowgen ’11, Sam Epstein ’02, Lindsey Furnary, Andrew Hall, Eli Korngiebel ’19, John Martin, Teja McDaniel ’85, Gus Ruchman ’10

Board of Trustees 2011–2012 William A. Durkin III ’72 Chairman W. Preston Baldwin III Nancy M. Better Dr. Mark H. Camel Robert F. Carangelo Michael P. Castine Leslie A. Dahl B. Cort Delany, Esq. ’73 Matthew S. DeSalvo Dr. Scott V. Haig Gregory B. Hartch ’88

John R. Harvey ’84 Carlos M. Hernandez Andrew H. Jacobson David B. MacFarlane D. Ian McKinnon Sanjeev K. Mehra Ian C. Murray ’93 Shepherd P. Murray ’89 Michael J. Odrich Thomas D. O’Malley, Jr. ’85 Suzanne P. Peisch Philip F. P. Pierce Clifton S. Robbins

William A. Schneider ’72 Lucy M. Stitzer Michael A. Troy John S. Weinberg Tracy R. Wolstencroft Ex Officio Steven H. Dudley Christina C. Kazazes Thomas G. Murray Thomas W. Philip

Brunswick School, founded in 1902, is an independent college-preparatory day school for 938 boys in grades Pre-K through 12. The Upper School grades 9 through 12 have a coordinate program with Greenwich Academy, a neighboring girls’ school. In a community of challenging academics; comprehensive arts, drama and music programs; along with 34 varsity and sub-varsity sports teams; 36 extra-curricular opportunities, and a renowned language program, time for Brunswick School students is also reserved both for reflection and service to others. We believe in the potential of each and every boy in our charge and have successfully developed an educational experience that emphasizes rigorous traditional learning, self-discipline, and character development. The School’s motto, “Courage, Honor, Truth,” is a phrase familiar to students who have graced our halls and one that is followed in both word and deed. For more information, please contact Gina Hurd, Admission Director, at 203.625.5800 or go to BrunswickSchool.org.

Cu b R e p orters Ty Pastore ’20, Keshav Raghavan ’17, Amit Ramachandran ’18 Con t r i buting Ph oto g rap hers Kim Amussen, Taryn Angelos; John Baer © 2011 Dark Fields Productions, LLC, Diane Briggs, Sarah Burdett, Dan Burns; Tim Coupe, Wendy Eichmann, Lindsey Furnary, Kim Iorillo, Amy Kundrat, Wayne Lin, Joan Michie, Neil Minsky, Shailen Patel, Shelby Saer, Sara Tierno, Simon Williams, Erin Withstandley Cov e r : Upper School on a May afternoon (Credit: Diane Briggs) Designer Good Design LLC, gooddesignusa.com Pr i n t i n g Designers’ Press, Orlando, Florida

E r r at u m

In Times of Brunswick winter 2011 issue on page 3, it is incorrectly noted that Ken Towe is Class of ’46. Ken is Class of ’52.

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F e a t u r e s

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Advanced Science Research Program Launches at ’Wick

by Bonni Brodnick 4 Middle School Scientists on Innovative Quests

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10 D e p a r t m e n t s

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2 Message from the Headmaster

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33 Brunswick 2.0 34 ’Wick Snippets

Sarah Bush; Hugh Jessiman ’02; Agriculture Club; New in Development; Arabic Students; Jerry Pinkney; Mr. Stephens; Haley Christie ’11; Oscar Andy Hammerstein 42 Sports Roundup

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55 Beyond the Classroom

Trip to Greenkill; Cinco de Mayo; Cynnie & BJ; Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund; Food for Thought; Ted Stolar; Saying It Simply; Grandparents’ Day; New Stand-In; Read-a-Thon; LS Puzzler; CHAMPS; MS Squash; BioBus 62 Brunswick Alumni 76 Class Notes 82 In Memoriam 84 Viewpoint: Student Perspective Jean-Paul Bowgen ’11

Spring Fashion Show Channels Chic at La Dolce Vita

by Nancy Better mr. meloni’S Historical Artifacts

by Lindsey Furnary What Brought Mike Geller ’98 Back to the Farm?

by Bonni Brodnick

18 Crew Establishes Challenge Cup with Tabor Academy

by John Martin, English Teacher and Assistant Rowing Coach

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Q & A with Neil Minsky: Middle School Trips go Global

by Bonni Brodnick Captions by Keshav Raghavan ’17

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A New Dimension for AP Studio art 27 Brunswick Boys Lauded with Greenwich Arts Council Junior Award

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Going Global: Reflections on a Bridge Year in Senegal

by Gus Ruchman ’10

32 Dusting for Prints

by Richard Beattie, Upper School History Teacher, Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate College Guidance Director

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Remembering Brian Sur ’84 My SuperHero and Bro

by Teja McDaniel ’85

Graduation 2011: More than a Century of Preparing Boys for LIfe

by Bonni Brodnick

Message from the HE A DM A S TER

A Class i c al E d u c at i o n Several years ago, there was a wonderful op-ed piece in The New York Times entitled “A Vote for Latin,” written by Harry Mount. Among other achievements, he is author of Carpe Diem: Put a Little Latin in Your Life. In the article, he made the following points: • “Of the 7,000 books originally in Thomas Jefferson’s library … the best-thumbed of those remaining—on a glassed-in shelf in his Monticello study—is a copy of Virgil’s Aeneid.”

(This book, incidentally, is one of the central texts in our current Latin classes at Brunswick.)

• “Of the 40 presidents since Jefferson, 31 have studied Latin, many at a high level. James Polk graduated from the University of North Carolina, in 1818, with top honors in math and classics. James Garfield taught Greek and Latin from 1856 to 1857 at what is now Hiram College in Ohio.

Teddy Roosevelt studied classics at Harvard.”

Mr. Mount went on to note that Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and both George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, all studied Latin. At Brunswick, we, too, believe in the value of introducing our boys to a classical education.

Each year, all 6th graders are required to study Latin. In 7th grade (when students are permitted to choose a language), many continue Latin as their primary language of study. Many more continue it as a second language, and there is the same pattern for 8th grade.

In Upper School, where our classics offerings expand to include Latin and Greek, we have over 100 students. In 2007, reflecting our students’ interest in (and our commitment to) the classics, we introduced the end-of-year Latin Award. At our 2011 commencement, a select few seniors were recognized for their

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distinctive achievements in the study of both Latin and Greek while at Brunswick School.

In the aforementioned New York Times article, Mr. Mount contemplates the importance of Latin as a foundation for comprehensive learning and clarity of thought. Perhaps more important than anything, he explains that students who study Latin “gain a glimpse into the past that provides a fuller, richer view of the present. Know Latin and you discern the Roman layer that lies beneath the skin of the Western world. You open 500 years of Western literature (plus an additional thousand years of Latin prose and poetry). With a little Roman history and Latin under your belt, you end up seeing more everywhere, not only in literature and language, but in the classical roots of Federal architecture; the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe and, in turn, America and our system of senatorial government.”

The op-ed piece concluded with contemporary novelist Alan Hollinghurst describing people “who know history’s turning points [are] able to look at the world as a sequence of rooms: Greece gives way to Rome, Rome to the Byzantine Empire, to the Renaissance, to the British Empire, to America.”

In any given academic year at Brunswick, close to 200 students in our Middle and Upper Schools pursue either the study of Latin or Greek. It is our hope, indeed, to have our boys explore and appreciate as many of those “rooms” as possible.

Thomas W. Philip

©iStockphoto.com/dddb

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By Bonni B

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he 2011–2012 school year at Brunswick will include scientific breakthroughs at the Lower, Middle, and Upper School levels. With Dana Montañez joining Steve Weber as co-chair of the science department, students will continue to be encouraged to take on fun, out-of-the-box approaches to Brunswick’s integrated science program.

Whether it’s growing germs and hatching chicks in first grade; designing and racing cars based on principles of balance and motion in second grade; uncovering a mock crime scene or exploring the physics of sound in third grade; experimenting with chemistry, electricity, magnetism, and “going green” in fourth grade, the boys have multiple opportunities to stretch their scientific knowhow. After-school club programs—such as Lego Robotics; Birding (which includes bird-watching and building birdhouses); Young MDs; and Odyssey of the Mind—encourage the boys to compete in local science competitions that often land them at the national level.

“Lower School science centers around inquiry-based instruction and promotes a sense of curiosity,” said Katie Signer, head of Lower

Scientists l o o h c S e l Midd ive Quests on Innovat he annual 5th and 6th grade Science Fair is always anticipated for the ingenuity that the boys put into their projects. This year’s original experiments included a look at everything from rust to dirt to salt and grapes, to how cola, maple syrup, bleach and mouthwash affect teeth; the speed of different ski waxes; and which crystals grow fastest: epsom, salt, kosher salt or sugar. Some of the creative titles of the experiments “Going Crazy with Whiffle Balls,” “The Speed of Different Ski Waxes,” “Which Bleach Best Removes Dirt and Grass-Stains From Socks?” “Molding and Measuring Cheese: A Scientific Comparison between Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar and Parmesan” and

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School. “Our hands-on program offers appropriate challenges through stimulating lab experiences and far-reaching content. Boys are exposed to concepts and skills through a variety of earth, life, and physical sciences. By connecting what is learned in the lab with what is learned in the classroom, we continue to reinforce the skills of content area reading, observation and record-keeping, math and measurement, lab practices, and experimental design.”

Across the King Street campus at Middle School, a new science classroom, along with the hiring of a new 5th grade science teacher, will allow for more advanced and interactive experiments. With well-equipped labs, students will work on adaptations of nature, ecosystems, classifications of animals and trees, and report from the King Street weather station.

The curriculum helps the boys prepare for the challenging science curriculum they meet in 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

“Our aim is not only to provide boys with a rigorous and comprehensive science curriculum—including earth science, life science, and the physical sciences—but to have students explore the topics in an interactive lab setting,” said Sarah Burdett, head of Middle School. “The annual Science Fair brings out the ingenuity of our 5th and 6th graders (see sidebar below). In addition to offering a variety of after-school clubs—such as Earth Allies and Cornell Bird Count—every year we have one major science assembly.”

“The Grape Trebuchet Experiment.”

In “The Pizza Grease Study,” which enlisted tastings at three local pizzerias, Max Finkelstein determined, “The greasier the pizza the better the taste.”

In “How Hull Shape Affects Boat Speed,” Rhett Ullmann compared the speed factors of catamaran, flat bottom and V-shape hulls. With an intricate set-up of a large tub of water, a fan and three toy boats, he came to a ready conclusion:

“According to my experiment, my hypothesis was partially incorrect, as the catamaran was not the fastest hull shape, but the flat bottom was the slowest,” he wrote in his report. “Part of why the catamaran was slower than the V-shape was because the sail shape and boat weight were kept constant. As noted in my research, my hypothesis is that

the catamaran’s needle-shape hulls have the least drag and customarily achieve the highest boat speed of the three hull shapes tested. I found that weight distribution affects performance. No constants were modified, but the variables were changed multiple times to find all the data.”

Perhaps one of the liveliest experiments was by Maxwell Larsen.

Sporting a tie with tortoises, he eagerly spoke to Science Fair attendees about his project, “My Tortoise’s Favorite Food Contest.” Maxwell’s three Sulcata tortoises, Rex, Brach, and Steg (named after the dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, and Stegosaurus) were brought in to confirm the hypothesis that, when given the choice, they’ll eat watermelon before lettuce, and lettuce before they even touch their collard greens.

Renowned ocean explorer Robert Ballard, best known for his historic discovery of the sunken R.M.S. Titanic, has been a guest speaker and Meteorologist Art Horn is on the docket for this year.

A new era in science begins at the Upper School level, too. Through the generosity of numerous Brunswick families, Dana Montañez and Steve Weber will launch an intensive program, “Advanced Science: Foundations of Science Research.” Open to 10th and 11th graders, the advanced science research initiative will encourage students to employ innovative and varied laboratory techniques, learn the process of writing scientific papers for publication, and ultimately, enable students to submit their work to local and national scientific competitions. Science electives, primarily investigation-based courses, will include Molecular Genetics/Microbiology; Forensic Science; and Microbes, Plagues and Human Diseases.

“State-of-the-art equipment, materials, and supplies will facilitate a new era in science opportunities at Upper School,” said Mr. Weber. “Dana Montañez will be a huge asset to our effort.”

Mrs. Montañez taught life sciences in New York City, most notably at the Bronx High School of Science.

A graduate of Denison University with a B.A. in biology, she has taught various levels of high school biology,

“I love reptiles and tortoises,” said Maxwell. “They’re easy to care for and each has a different personality.”

Joseph Magliocco’s science project, “Collapsing Bridges,” took an interesting route of investigation before coming to a conclusion.

“I was interested in what types of bridges—plank, suspension or arch— can hold the most weight,” he said after studying maximum flex and breaking points. “I ran out of weights and had to use my two brothers. Peter, who is in 2nd grade and weighs 45 pounds, almost broke the suspension bridge so I told him to get down. When he stood on the arch, it barely even sagged. But then it broke when my older brother, Chris, who is in 6th grade and weighs 56 pounds, stood on it.”

According to Joseph’s research, “Arch bridges are safest but cost a lot

including classes designed to teach research techniques and place students in area labs to conduct independent projects.

She received a master’s degree in biology and education from New York University, where she is currently a doctoral candidate in the midst of completing her dissertation in educational administration.

“Along with our goal to give the boys research experience within the class, our new science program will encourage them to focus on the completion of an original research project during the summer months,” she said. “Our end goal will be for those students dedicated to completing one single project for two years to participate in the Intel Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the science team at Brunswick,” Mrs. Montañez concluded. “It will be exciting to work collaboratively with Steve Weber and the other science teachers as we highlight department strengths and expand our School’s science offerings. I recently spoke with a senior who informed me that I am going to ‘just love the Brunswick science department. They were some of my favorite teachers and classes.’ Who wouldn’t be excited about that?” j

to construct. That’s why you see more suspension bridges, like the Golden Gate and George Washington bridges.”

“The Middle School Science Fair affords the boys the opportunity to pursue an area of their interest within a scientific procedure,” said Sonia Schott, Brunswick School 6th grade science teacher. “The fair is solely about the process. The students researched ideas, selected a project, researched background information, and made an educated hypothesis.

“They set up their own test procedures, and analyzed what happened,” Mrs. Schott continued. “Regardless of the boys’ hypotheses, they all came out winners, as they learned about trial and error, revising their ideas and thinking about the results. At the other end of the process, they have each grown as analytical thinkers.” j

(top) Maxwell Larsen and the Sulcatas. (bottom) Simon Derby studied grapes and trebuchets.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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La Dolce Vita spring fashion show + Luncheon channels chic at

By Nancy Better, Parent of David ’11, Charlie ’13, and Sarah (GA ’15)

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hen guests stepped into Burke Field House last spring, they were transported to a lush Tuscan garden setting.

“We wanted a lighthearted theme that would whisk them away to someplace warm, fun and fashionable, so we immediately thought of Italy,” said Michelle Binnie, who co-chaired Brunswick’s 58th biennial spring fashion show and luncheon with Amy Dana. The creative duo christened the event “La Dolce Vita,” channeling the chic style of Italy’s countryside. › › ›

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Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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More than 300 guests— including mothers of current Brunswick students and alumni—attended the spring fashion show and luncheon.

Funds raised will go to a new Brunswick initiative called Foreign Language Immersion Program (FLIP), and will be used to enhance the Upper School Modern Language curriculum, which includes Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. The endowment will also offer study abroad opportunities to every Upper School student, regardless of financial need, so that they can practice their language skills, live with host families, and further their understanding of the world.

As event patrons sipped white peach Bellinis, and enjoyed antipasto and bruschetta prepared by Marybeth’s Caterers, they admired the dramatic décor. Brunswick 8

Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

father Roberto Fernandez, owner of the local landscape design firm, placed pear trees, arborvitae, ivy topiaries and urns of hydrangeas in Italianate sculptures, including two larger-than-life-size replicas of Michelangelo’s David, borrowed from United House Wrecking.

During the cocktail reception, attendees clustered around the raffle table, eyeing prizes that ranged from a romantic getaway at the Ocean House in Rhode Island, to prime Yankees tickets, to an elegant tea party at the New York Botanical Garden.

Just after noon, guests were ushered into the gymnasium, which had been transformed with elegant white-clad tables bordering a fashion runway and circular stage. As Headmaster Tom Philip welcomed the parents, he acknowledged co-chairs

Michelle and Amy for their grace and leadership in orchestrating countless details and months of planning to make the event appear effortless. He also thanked the more than 100 benefit committee volunteers.

“Our spring fashion show and luncheon celebrates Brunswick’s extended community and the 109 years we have been entrusted to prepare young boys for life,” said Mr. Philip. “Thank you for supporting FLIP, which will be a defining program for our already wonderful school.”

As the lights dimmed and “I’ve Got a Feeling” by the Black-Eyed Peas blasted over the sound system, the crowd burst into thunderous applause.

First down the catwalk were the youngest male models: Lower and Middle School students in Euro-Preppy shorts and trousers with bright striped, gingham and plaid shirts.

Brunswick faculty members, including foreign language teachers Erin and Paul Withstandley, followed with their 4th grader, Jack.

Erin was glamorous in a blue and white printed dress with a low-cut back, and a matching blue straw hat the size of a sombrero.

Although Erin admitted to battling nerves before her modeling debut, she was eager to help support FLIP.

“This is the 16th year Paul and I have taught at Brunswick and it’s nice to know that we can give something back, especially since proceeds will advance international learning,” Erin said. “Both of us studied abroad in high school and we think it will be wonderful for Brunswick boys to have this opportunity, too.”

The fashion models included 5 faculty, 1 father, 25 mothers and 42

boys. A dozen of the moms walked the runway in festive evening dresses and were escorted by their graduating sons wearing their special “senior outfit” of blue blazer, white pants, and red tie.

There were cheers and a few tears as the mother/son couples circled the stage.

For the moms, there was a sense of pride and nostalgia since the next big event was graduation in May.

“This is my favorite part,” said Andrea Jovine Coopersmith as she watched the fashion show. Her son, Ali, is a sophomore. “It makes you think about the passage of time, and how

childhood passes in the blink of an eye.”

The women’s fashions were supplied by Saks Fifth Avenue of Greenwich, which also provided makeup artists (hair styling was done

by Hopscotch Salon). The students and male teachers wore clothes from Thomas Dean & Co. and Lochlane, two lines of classic men’s and boys wear founded

by Brunswick father Tom Bonomo. Making it a family affair, his wife, Alyssa, modeled with their son, Harry, a Brunswick kindergartener.

As per tradition, members of the junior class served

as waiters throughout the luncheon. Prior to the guests’ arrival, Junior Class Dean Tucker Hastings assembled the boys for a pep talk and final instructions.

“The guys do a great job,” he said. “They got their training at the Annual Dinner last fall, so they know how to serve and clear the plates.

They’re happy to help out.”

For the grand finale of “La Dolce Vita,” all of the models gathered onstage for photos and bows. Guests took home copies of the program journal, which was

formatted into a glossy magazine, replete with feature stories on fashion, beauty, fitness, food, and gardening.

The cover featured “Sophia,” the chic and elegant benefit mascot drawn

by Brunswick parent and fine artist Nina Weld.

“We’ll miss seeing ‘Sophia’ all over campus, on posters and invitations and raffle ticket promotions,” said Michelle. “Working on ‘La Dolce Vita’ was truly a special experience for everyone involved.” j Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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Mr. Meloni’S Historical Artifacts

By Lindsey Furnary

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hy is the number 540 significant to seasoned second grade teacher Pat Meloni? Since she came to Brunswick in 1976, this is the number of Lower School boys who have occupied a desk in her classroom. Each of these hundreds of boys will recall the mesmerizing array of antiques that enliven Mrs. Meloni’s classroom and represent her keen understanding of a young boy’s inherent desire to learn about his world, past and present.

While walking by Mrs. Meloni’s classroom, it is not uncommon to catch a glimpse of a boy cozily perched upon her vintage barber chair, engrossed in a book. Upon walking into Mrs. Meloni’s classroom at the Lower School, immediately one’s eye is drawn to the mailboxes in the front of the room, dating back several decades. Mrs. Meloni explains that these mailboxes serve as place for the boys to distribute letters they have written to their friends. Turning to the back of her classroom, enormous crayons in a rainbow of vibrant colors are secured to the wall. These very

crayons donned the walls of her first classroom on the Maple Avenue campus, where the Lower School was housed prior to the construction of the King Street campus in 2006. Atop the boys’ lockers resides a vibrant collection of artifacts including Nutcrackers, animals, life-sized M&M’s, and a host of beautiful treasures that Mrs. Meloni has acquired over the years that transform the learning space into a haven for a curious second grade boy, a true place of wonder.

Mrs. Meloni’s love of relics from the past is shared by her husband of 42 years, Mr. Ron Meloni, who has become a regular presence in the second grade pod. Mr. Meloni explained that he began visiting the second grade last year to supplement the Lower School science program, sharing remarkable objects with the boys such as an authentic Edison light bulb and phonograph.

These special visits have become a memorable thread woven into the fabric of Mrs. Meloni’s second grade, uniting a historical and scientific context with objects from the past.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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On this particular spring morning, 18 wide-eyed second grade boys wait patiently for their much-anticipated visitor, to share with them a sampling of his rare, archaic finds. There is a palpable buzz of excitement in the room as boys are beginning to wonder about the origins of these rare objects. Meticulously set up in the front of the room is an array of uncommon antiques such as a megalodon tooth, a theropod dinosaur egg, a stereoscopic viewer, a meteor, and back by popular demand, a genuine Thomas Edison phonograph and telegraph machine.

The boys marvel as Mr. Meloni holds up each object, describing it and explaining why it was relevant in years passed and how it may have led to important discoveries and inventions that we rely on today. When explaining the mechanics of the phonograph, Mr. Meloni explains that this machine provided most of the entertainment for people in this era. “Does it still work?” a boy asks inquisitively. Much to the delight of his

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captive audience, Mr. Meloni selects a cylinder-shaped record and asks if any of the boys have ever heard the Yale fight song.

He fits the record into the machine and within seconds the first bars of the song are audible.

Another popular object is triangular, shiny and obsidianhued. “This is the tooth of the ancient Meglalodon shark who lived many thousands of years ago,” Mr. Meloni begins. “Wait!

That tooth is the size of my whole face!” interjects an eager boy.

The 6-inch tooth was likely one of 100 teeth situated in the 13-foot high mouth. To illustrate the enormity of this ancient species, Mr. Meloni produces a tape measure and invites the boys into the hall. Together, the boys calculate that the shark would stretch from their classroom, all the way to the Lower School playground!

Mr. and Mrs. Meloni graciously encourage each boy to hold the artifacts in their hands and are completely at ease with the

“[His] spectacular gadgets and

relics inspire a gamut of incisive questions.”

boys handling these spectacular objects, believing that the opportunity to touch something is part of the learning process.

These spectacular gadgets and relics inspire a gamut of incisive questions from Mr. Meloni’s audience that offer us a window into their minds as learners. “Where do you get these things?” inquires one curious second grader. Mr. Meloni describes the various sources that he has drawn upon over his decades as a collector. He has serendipitously encountered many of his finds in the antique markets of New York City, but has also acquired some of his treasures from various auction houses, such as Christie’s. “What is the oldest thing on this table?” wonders another. Mr. Meloni holds up the meteorite from outer space and explains that it is approximately 35 million years old. The second grade boys are captivated to learn that an object that exists today could have also existed so long ago. These

fascinating visits from a historical collector are undoubtedly a highlight of the second grade year.

Enmeshed in the Brunswick family for decades, Mrs. Meloni calculated the number of boys who she has called her students by looking at each of her class pictures. She speaks about each class with the same clarity and recollection that she speaks of her current class and fondly recalls families for whom she has taught a father and son or even a nephew and uncle. Mr. Meloni’s recent visits to the Lower School with segues into both history and science, are perhaps a demonstration of the fact that at Brunswick, a classroom never stops evolving. After several decades, Mrs. Meloni remains constantly attuned to new and meaningful ways to engage her students, building their understanding of their world. j

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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What Brought Mike Geller ’98

Back to the Farm?

By Bonni Brodnick

“When I was at Brunswick, I was big into theater, was tri-captain of the football team (right guard and middle linebacker) and played varsity baseball,” said Mike Geller, who was locally grown and raised in Greenwich.

After graduating Brunswick, he attended Skidmore to major in Spanish (inspiration for which he attributes to Paul Withstandley, Upper School Spanish teacher).

Mike headed to Atlanta and fell into advertising and event management—brushing elbows with Magic Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Snoop Dogg and more. But after five years, Mike decided to take a right turn from the fast lane and spend two months in the Kalahari Desert. He worked on Tsama Ranch, which borders the second largest game reserve in Africa and is 75 miles from the nearest village. The adventure turned out to be a life altering experience. Away from the glitz and glam, he discovered a passion for good food and good eating in a small supermarket in Botswana.

“While in Africa, I was helping to build tents and fences, and worked on irrigation and water projects,” Mike said. “I had to hunt for food and there was no communication with the outside world. I was like Survivor Man. I was almost bitten by a giant cobra, and once got caught 25 miles from camp with no gun, no water, no satellite 14

reception, and no food. Right before it got dark, I bumped into a guy on a tractor and he gave me a ride eight miles back to camp.”

“What I learned most during any trip was self-reliance,” he continued. “If something is broken, you fix it. If you need food, you hunt for it or grow it. I got back in touch with nature and how delicious food is when it’s freshly picked and farmed.”

When Mike returned to the U.S., he wanted to propagate the knowledge he had learned. The seed for Mike’s Organic Delivery was planted. His route today has more than 300 customers—50 of which are Brunswick families. Folks in Connecticut (Greenwich, Darien, and Stamford) and New York (Armonk, Bedford, Chappaqua, Harrison, Larchmont, Rye, and Scarsdale) receive a weekly homegrown experience direct from farms that are within 60 miles of Greenwich.

On any given delivery day, you can find Mike’s Nissan Pathfinder stacked with 23 crates of veggies, 30 dozen eggs, 16 freezer bags full of meat, 12 cups of butter, 12 jars of honey, milk, and cheese. He is passionate about the green enterprise he’s launched, the incredible food that he offers, and has a sense of great reward doing something he loves: sharing.

Which is exactly what he did when he came into the Brunswick Development Office to show his wares. Mike’s basket of bounty offered a variety of sweet-as-sugar freshly picked peaches, carrots, and lettuces. As he showed this reporter the different apples, he picked up each with loving care.

Produce and farms Mike represents in the Lower Hudson Valley include meat from Hemlock Hill Farm (Croton Manor, N.Y.), Gray Horse Farm (Clinton Corners, N.Y.), and Stuart Family Farm (Bridgewater, Conn.); eggs and honey from Pine Hill Farm (Sharon, Conn.); butter from RonnyBrook Farm (Ancramdale, N.Y.); cheese from Sprout Creek Farm (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), vegetables and fruit from Hepworth Farm

Testimonials from Brunswick Moms “Where else can one find a Brunswick graduate who not only sells fresh, organic, from the farm food, but also, provides tailored recipes to each order. Mike’s Organic Delivery was conceived by a smart, innovative young man. His customer service and products are exactly what you would expect from a Brunswick graduate. Superb!”

—Jill Ciporin, (Peter ’15 and Charlie ’19)

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“We are fortunate to have good supermarkets in town, but we are even luckier to have Mike’s Organic Delivery. Every week a basket full of local, seasonal, delicious fruits and vegetables arrives with a smile from Mike. In addition to the fruit/vegetable basket, I’ve ordered meat, eggs, butter and more and am convinced that the taste is unparalleled. Crunchy, fresh apples, carrots, and greens, it’s all so fresh. I love the idea of eating as organically and seasonally as possible. Mike’s Organic Delivery brings the farm to my doorstep.”

—Antoinette Griffith (Jack ’12 and Kevin ’15)

“About a year ago, I received a Mike’s Organic basket as a gift and I was hooked. I love his outstanding service and his weekly deliveries are eagerly awaited. While organic is important to me, the flavors of his truly

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(Milton, N.Y.), Amba Farms (Bedford Hills, N.Y.), and Stone Barns (Tarrytown, N.Y); pasture-raised pork from Meili’s Farm (Amenia, N.Y.), and pasture-raised lamb from Sepe Farm (Sandy Hook, Conn.).

“Hepworth Farm grows 60 kinds of peppers; 27 kinds of cucumbers; 25+ zucchini and squash; 100 varieties of tomatoes; 16 kinds of eggplant; 4 kinds of peaches and plums; 16 kinds of apples and 8 kinds of pears; blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, Concord grapes, and all the greens you can imagine, like Asian Mizuna and pak choi salad types, like romaine, butterhead, red oak leaf, kale, swiss chard, collard greens,” said Mike. “And this is just one farm! I get my clients 12–14 items per week during the summer. All of the veggies are certified organic. I’ll bring you corn that will make you cry.”

His friendly weekly email messages, along with great recipes, keep customers in the loop: “We’re starting to have some awesome new things. This past week we had English peas, strawberries, 2 kinds of zucchini, Scapes (amazing), mint, cilantro, lettuce and lots of other goodies. Cherries, apricots, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes are all on the way in the next few weeks!!! As soon as they come in they’ll be added to your delivery.

“I’m also going to have lamb chops in the next week or so and pork chops as well.

It’s going to be a great summer!”

And don’t think Mike’s Organic Delivery goes dormant after the frost.

“The winter is way better than I ever expected,” he said. “The first year I delivered 55 Thanksgiving turkeys. Even in the snow I bring people fresh, unbelievable veggies like butternut squash and parsnips, along with free-range eggs, butter, raw honey, raw cow and goats’ milk cheeses, and we are starting to get all-stone mill ground flour for bread baking.”

In addition to delivering the best, tastiest, and freshest food in the region, Mike enjoys carrying his message to students. At a special assembly last spring, he spoke with the Brunswick Middle Schoolers about the importance of sustainability.

farm-fresh produce were a revelation. In the age of industrialized food, Mike’s is a reminder of how delicious genuine farm-fresh produce can truly be.”

“Brunswick taught me the importance of contributing to the community and feeling a part of something greater than yourself,” Mike said. “Along with lecturing about local farming, my main message to the students is: Go outside and play in the dirt. Experience nature and the world outside. Unplug. Be a part of nature, not just an observer.”

“It’s gratifying to bring good food to people, and at the same time, to help the local farm community,” Mike concluded. “It’s a great feeling to do something positive and to watch what I love to do continue to grow.” j

For more information, go to MikesOrganicDelivery.com

—Christina Kazazes (Peter ’13, Sean ’15, Devin ’19, and Aidan ’23)

“There’s nothing like justpicked fruit and veggies brought right to your door. We’ve also enjoyed tasting Mike’s new varieties of produce. And the best thing of all is the corn … just ask my boys!”

—Lisa Matthews (Craig ’07, Scott ’09, and Jake ’12)

“Mike’s Organic Delivery is a treat! Not only does my family get the freshest, healthiest local foods available, but they are also delivered right to my door. Mike is adored by my kids, my dog, and me.”

—Karen Mehra (Nikhil ’10, Devin ’12, Sammy ’13, and Gabriel ’20)

“My main message to the students is:

Go outside and play in the dirt. Experience nature and the world outside. Unplug.

Be a part of nature, not just an observer.”

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runswick solidified its rowing rivalry with Tabor Academy this spring by inaugurating a handsome challenge cup to be raced for by the two schools for many years to come.

Rowing is a sport steeped in tradition.

During the regular season, schools often race in dual meets and compete for cups (or “oars,” which is the case with the Brunswick-Salisbury rivalry). Some schools “bet shirts,” with the losing oarsmen having to give their rowing jerseys to the rowers in the winning boat.

The Brunswick-Tabor Cup is to be awarded to the winner of the most races between the two schools in their annual dual. The pewter cup features a mahogany base that was hand-carved by

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

New England artist Ham Martin [John’s father].

The crossed oars on the front of the base represent the blade designs of the two teams. This year, Brunswick won two of the three races contested and brought the cup back to Greenwich. Tabor had won the racing the previous year, so Brunswick Senior Co-Captains Ryan Gartin ’11 and Thomas Wilson ’11 were thrilled to accept it back on behalf of their School.

“We came with the goal of winning the cup from Tabor and we knew it was going to take everyone giving it their all. The boys have worked hard in practice and that paid off,” said Wilson.

Tabor Academy, a school perched on the beautiful shores of Marion, Mass., boasts one of

Photo: Simon Williams

Coach Falco pouring the ceremonial home river water over the bow of the shell named in his honor.

— Thomas Wilson ’11

the most storied rowing programs in the United States. In accepting the trophy, Brunswick Head Rowing Coach Joe Falco noted that in his coaching career versus Tabor, which dates to the 1970s, he has seen the best in rowing, not only in terms of competitive racing, but also in sportsmanship and character.

The idea for the Cup was formed during an informal discussion between the Brunswick and Tabor coaches along the banks of England’s Thames during the Henley Royal Regatta in 2009.

It is only fitting that this fine new tradition was founded in Henley-on-Thames, the international Mecca in the sport of rowing. j

Brunswick’s eight-oared rowing shells are aptly named “Courage,” “Honor,” “Truth,” the “Robert L. Cosby,” the “Robert Sampson,” and now the “Joseph P. Falco.” Coach Falco, as he is known to most, has been coaching rowing at Brunswick since 1999.

The shell was officially christened on a beautiful sunny day at the Brunswick rowing facility on the banks of the Mianus. The boat will wear the nickname “Falcon” in honor of the program’s beloved head coach. Taylor Black ’09, currently rowing for Cornell’s Varsity Lightweight Rowing team, spoke on behalf of his family and all of Coach Falco’s former Brunswick oarsmen. He then passed a silver pitcher to the honoree to ceremonially pour home river water over the bow of the sleek German-made shell.

In introducing Taylor, assistant coach John Martin noted, “Taylor represents all the best things about our sport in terms of his character, his dedication, and his passion for rowing. And he learned it all from Joe.”

The entire current team witnessed the ceremony and will take special care of this shell on many rows in the future. j

Alums and coaches posing after the christening ceremony. (Left to right): Ed Williams ’09, Taylor Black ’09, Coach Joe Falco, and assistant coaches Vanessa Moors and John Martin.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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Middle School Trips with Mr. Minsky

ŠiStockphoto.com/abzee

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By Bonni Brodnick Captions by Keshav Raghavan ’17

For the past four years, Neil Minsky, Middle School Academic Dean and English teacher, and his band of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade travelers have hit the road for some unforgettable adventures. Going overseas during the first week of spring break has become an annual Middle School tradition with destinations that have included China, Spain, Greece and Italy.

Times of Brunswick caught up with Mr. Minsky after this year’s trip to Italy. Stops in Pompeii, Pisa, Siena, the Vatican, Venice, and Vesuvius made everlasting memories as the young Bruins learned about history and culture in faraway places.

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ToB: What’s the purpose of the Middle School trips?

NM: We’re trying to accomplish a few things. First and foremost, we want the boys to get a sense of history and culture as they travel.

It’s one thing to open a textbook and see pictures of the Great Wall of China or the Roman Coliseum, but when you get to see it in person, it really puts the historical and cultural significance into perspective. Second, we want the boys to get comfortable traveling overseas, so they are prepared for possible study abroad opportunities in Upper School and beyond. Finally, we simply want the boys to have a fantastic and fun experience with their classmates so they can bond as a group; after all, spring break is vacation time, too.

ToB: Can anyone sign up for the trips?

NM: All Brunswick 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are eligible, and every year we have a few parents that come as well. If space allows, 5th graders are welcome, as long as a parent travels with them.

ToB: Do you have to speak the language, or at least be able to ask, “Where is the post office?”

NM: No worries about speaking the language. For every trip, we have a native tour escort with us at all times. In fact, less than 1

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ToB: From a world-wide selection, how do you decide where to go?

NM: It depends … many of the boys and parents that sign up for our trips have traveled with us before, so we solicit their advice to help figure out where potential interest may lie. Furthermore, we look at our academic curriculum.

For example, this year, the entire Middle School curriculum included the study of Ancient Greek history, drama, and art.

When we decided to add Antigone to the 7th-grade reading list, traveling to Greece seemed like the natural choice.

ToB: Can you give us a hint what’s on the docket for the 2011–2012 trip abroad?

NM: It’s usually top secret until it’s announced in September because things are always subject to change. Let’s just say for now that I’m brushing up on my French. j 3

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half of the students that went to China and Spain respectively were taking Chinese and Spanish at the time. The Middle School spring break trips are more about the experience. That said, it’s fun watching some of the boys try to use their foreign language skills in the restaurants and on the street.

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On the Road 1. Our gondola ride took us from the piers at San Marco, around the Grand Canal, cut through backwater San Marco canals, and returned us to San Marco Square.

Posing for the camera in this photo we’ve got (left to right) Teddy Cassoli ’15, Emmet Coyle ’15, Jill Coyle, Charlie Cassoli ’15, and Sam May ’15, with the rest of us trailing behind.

2. Posing on the Ponte Vecchio, over the Arno River, in Florence. The bridge has a distinguished past, and here we are at its peak. Looks like Jordan’s happy with his gelato!

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3. Shown here in Rome during our tour of the Pantheon, an ancient temple to the gods. You can see the blue earplugs, which connect us to the guide.

4. Everyone in the Il Palio Racetrack/Piazza (square) in Siena. We are all happy after a long journey from Venice.

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5. Here are Mr. Minsky, Mr. Brayton and most of the 8th graders on our trip posing in Venice on the Rialto Bridge, with the beautiful Grand Canal behind us. If we were to turn around the camera, we would see many small shops, selling everything from tourist items to jewelry. (However, to see a real collection of jewelry stores, go to Florence’s Ponte Vecchio).

6. Here we’ve got some of our 6th grade posing in front of the Vatican City museum (Musei Vaticani). From left to right: John Ryan, Jack Kulesh, Keshav Raghavan. This is just before we entered the museum to see some of antiquity’s greatest treasures.

(Captions by Brunswick Teachers) 7. Spain 2009—Gathered inside the grounds of El Escorial, former Palace of King Felipe II, which is now a monastery where other Spanish kings are buried.

8. China 2008—At the base of the Great Wall of China 9. Greece 2010—At the ancient part of Delphi on the site of the Temple of Apollo.

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The images on the following pages are a selection of Advanced Placement (AP) Studio artwork produced in this year’s junior and senior classes. For the first time, Brunswick had 74 students taking the AP course in five sections taught by three teachers: Andrew Hall (chairman of Visual and Performing Arts and Upper School art teacher), Brian Shepard (visual arts), and Jamie Fessenden (graphic arts).

Out of the 74 students, 25 chose to submit a 3-dimensional design portfolio and the rest a 2-dimensional design portfolio.

In total, 1,628 pieces of sculpture, drawings, paintings, graphic design, and photographs were submitted for review to the AP Board. Prior to the work being mailed to the national AP Arts board for grading, it was exhibited for parents and friends in the Upper School arts studio.

This was a spectacular year in Brunswick arts.

The work produced by the students was, as you can see, incredible.

Jack Costello ’12

Cooper Briggs ’12

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

Pete Harris ’11

Will MacFarlane ’12

Matt Henkel ’11

Jack Schneider ’12

Jack Schneider ’12

Rory Semple ’11

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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Cooper Briggs ’12

Chris Kenny ’11

Jack Costello ’12

Bo Stafford ’11

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

Joe Beninati ’12

Harry Polak ’12

Charlie Miller ’12

Brunswick Boys Lauded with Greenwich Arts Council Junior Award

Jack Costello ’12

Mark Jackson ’12 Graham Miller ’11

Under the expert tutelage of Matthew Kirby-Smith (Upper School theater technology teacher), Brunswick juniors Addison Bennett, Matthew Cassoli, and Matthew Savitt have built sets, operated the light and sound boards, and supported virtually every theatrical production and assembly that the School has put on in the past three years. It is difficult to calculate just how many hours the three boys have devoted to the performing arts at Brunswick since becoming involved at Middle School.

In recognition of their achievements, Brunswick’s Upper School arts faculty—Andrew Hall (chairman of Visual and Performing Arts and art teacher), Brian Shepard (visual arts and college guidance), Paul Raaen (instrumental music), Shane Kirsh (instrumental music), and Seth Potter (theater and English)—unanimously voted that Addison, Matthew C. and Matthew S. receive this year’s Greenwich Arts Council Junior Award. j

Presentation before the Greenwich Arts Council.

Left to right: Juniors Matthew Cassoli, Matthew Savitt and Addison Bennett.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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By Gus Ruchman ’10

Reflections on a Bridge Year in Senegal

F

lying over Manhattan in May on my return to the United States from West Africa, my senses flooded with memories from Brunswick prom and graduation twelve months earlier. In the spring of 2010, I had put university matriculation on hold, opting instead to join a program called Global Citizen Year (GCY). It was a conscious choice, though certainly not an easy one, to send the letter to my future undergraduate institution begging permission to defer my Class of 2014 admission. I had literally jumped into the air when I was accepted as a GCY Fellow, but at summer’s end I had my doubts about the wisdom—or naïveté—that had motivated this bridge year while my friends organized their college duffels and I threw malaria prophylaxes and anti-diarrheal pills into a backpack.

That decision seemed long past as I adjusted an intravenous drip to a patient by the glare of my cell phone in a dark room at a health center in Senegal several months later. Now I cannot imagine what my life would have been like had I not chosen to participate in GCY.

This last year I lived and worked in the semi-rural village of Sangalkam, where I became conversant in both Wolof, the most common local language, and French, the looming remnant of a painful colonial history. Through language I began to understand a mindset and customs far different from the ones with which I was raised, and in turn came to appreciate the traditions that I had inadvertently packed with me when I left Connecticut in September.

My host family even gave me a Senegalese name, Moustapha, which quickly became an essential part of my identity.

Soon enough, I was navigating new norms and transcending divides of mores and communication. By day, I hand-scrubbed my clothes and by night gazed up at brilliant stars, the brighter side of sweeping electricity outages.

(Top) Tabaski: I proudly displayed traditional clothes with members of my host family on the Muslim holiday of Tabaski.

(Bottom) At Work: I apprenticed at the Poste de Santé, working in clinical and community health.

(Opposite) Window onto Village: I visited the remote village of Daga-Youndoum Bambara with a team of health workers to bring medical aid to people with little access to essential care.

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

“My host family even gave me a Senegalese name, Moustapha, which quickly became an essential part of my identity.�

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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“Above all, I became a student of the world, its people, and their struggles.”

Welcome to Sangalkam: I entered the town Sangalkam as I walked to work at the Poste de Santé.

(Inset clockwise from left) Pilgrim In Touba: While accompanying humanitarian workers to provide medical aid during the annual pilgrimage to Touba, I visited the Great Mosque of the holy city.

(Middle) Wash and Dry: I hand-washed my clothes, which dried in a matter of hours (and sometimes minutes) in the hot sun.

(Bottom) Family Food: Mountains of rice and vegetables were prepared in oil to serve ceebu djen at a family reunion.

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

Baby Moustapha: In Senegal I was renamed “Moustapha.” The mother of this baby (grandmother and co-worker, right) claims she named him after me when I helped deliver him at the Poste de Santé.

When the power was off, my host mother would cook outdoors by candlelight while the chickens mingled with hungry stray cats and the goats knocked over pots. Each morning after I woke, I would gather the day’s water from the single household spigot.

Around the mosque’s call for timis, the Muslim evening hour of prayer, I would again fill the bucket to go wash. By the time I crawled under my mosquito net to go to bed, my head was swirling with reflections about the ever-surprising culture that I was encountering, as well as ideas about my fulfilling, but often frustrating, work in the public health sector.

In my apprenticeship as a medical assistant and community health agent at the Poste de Santé, I routinely aided with childbirths and circumcisions, treated infections, bandaged wounds, observed diagnoses, familiarized myself with procedures in the pharmacy, and tried to create a cleaner, safer environment for care. Under trees and in the streets of sandy sub-Saharan villages, I helped administer measles and polio inoculations, essential vitamins, and anti-parasitic tablets to children. For directors and presidents of health committees, I wrote a comprehensive report in French, proposing a range of feasible and sustainable systemic changes to local clinics.

Sibiru and paludisme, or “malaria,” became common words in my vocabulary. I entered homes to drink àttaaya (sugarsaturated green tea) with parties of ten to twenty women, sharing in efforts to educate them about the disease. I became wellacquainted with finger pricks, performing hundreds of rapiddiagnostic malaria tests, and with intravenous treatment for the illness. In Dakar, I marched with an awareness campaign sponsored by the NGO Malaria No More. I also undertook several trips to a hospital of traditional medicine to study plant-based remedies for the ailment, then worked the fields to harvest vital leaves to understand how such “cures” are made.

What else did I do in a year “not in school”? I ate ceebu djen (rice and fish) every day from a communal bowl—no utensils needed, though men often use spoons—and drank bissap juice, which is similar to hibiscus. I forged unbreakable relationships with Senegalese and American peers. I drafted the first movement of a symphony and taught myself how to play guitar. I read widely and blogged regularly. I took thousands of photos and hours of video. I visited a holy city with an imposing mosque of gleaming marble, as well as thatched-hut-lined villages whose populations subsist beyond the grids of power, water, and roads.

I slept on floors among pilgrims, walked across wastelands, and provided musical accompaniment for freestyle Wolof rappers. I discovered yuza, a Senegalese dance, and djembe, a West African drum, and was thrilled by the adrenaline-charged atmosphere of a Youssou N’Dour concert.

Above all, I became a student of the world, its people, and their struggles, and met with representatives of various organizations striving to better lives in developing nations. When, by sheer coincidence, I found myself in conversation with a USAID official, I was the one being asked about the agency’s local impact, rather than the reverse, a somewhat dark irony in retrospect. When chance took me to lunch at the U.S. Embassy, I proudly saluted the flag and happily ate a burger. I was called “the American,” and I was called “a true Senegalese.”

Sometimes the adventures of my bridge year were grand, and sometimes I did not realize they were adventures at all. Either way, I would often muse about the challenges and unpredictable pace of each day by thinking, “I cannot believe that happened.” The understanding and compassion which we call “maturity,” coupled with self-reliance and initiative, are the most valuable outcomes, unteachable in a schoolroom, of my Global Citizen Year. I—a teenager from Cos Cob, former MathTeam member and Model United Nations delegate—became integrated into a community an ocean away from my physical and psychological moorings. I experienced international development from the ground up, medicine through empiricism, and languages through immersion. Perhaps most importantly, I recognized how effortlessly I could annihilate what I thought were my personal limits.

Now I am home, enjoying—in no particular order— Rinaldi’s Bruin sandwiches, hot water, indoor plumbing, non-bucket showers, 24/7 electricity and Internet, my biological family, and our dog. The possibilities seem endless. If you do not take the leap, you may never know what you missed. j

Editor’s Note: Gus Ruchman ’10 will start his freshman year at Harvard this fall.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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Dusting For Prints

By Richard Beattie, Upper School History Teacher & Dean of Academic Affairs/Associate College Guidance Director

As I write this, spring has emerged from its halting, hesitant April chrysalis and is now in full adornment. AP exams have begun, juniors are wearing shorts to school, the grass looks green, and the trees have taken on summery sheens. This is life in May. But ironically, my thoughts are not focused on the inviting breezes that blow through my window, but rather to a late afternoon in January that I am convinced will be my most enduring memory of the 2010–2011 academic year.

Bad winter weather had wreaked havoc with our Upper School semester exam schedule. Determined as we were to make it through the week, we had rescheduled several exams and, as a result of a variety of circumstances, the final semester exam administration (English) was held from 3:00–5:00 on the afternoon of January 21, an appropriate conclusion to what had been an unusual exam period. I remember leaving campus after that exam, walking out onto Maher Avenue in the total darkness of a deep, cold winter’s early night. The streets were crowded with cars trying to navigate, their way severely narrowed by plowed snow at its edges, and pedestrians walked tentatively along single-track shoveled paths on the sidewalks. The memory is compelling, in part because of its uniqueness. In 21 years at Brunswick, I can’t ever remember an exam dismissing so many people so late in the day.

Though it sounds odd to me to say, I have spent virtually my entire life in school: grade school, middle school, high school, college, graduate school, and then 26 years of teaching. Most people get to leave behind the classrooms, school supplies, dining halls, athletic games, homework, and well-sharpened pencils, but I never did. As a result, the rhythms and routines of my life have always been those of a school year in session, almost providing an alternate calendar. New Year’s Day falls in September, not January.

October is not the month for reaping what has been sowed, but the month of sowing what will eventually be reaped. The midpoint of the year arrives in early February. I claim no special vision here: this is the reality for all those who live their lives in academe.

The rhythms are hard-wired into our perceptions, and the cyclical nature of their timing provides a frame of reference as natural to us as the drawing of air into our lungs.

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While my colleagues and I often debate what is the “most difficult” part of a school year, we also have our favorite periods of the year, those that provide solace and the rejuvenation. Some like the optimism and enthusiasm of September, the gentle beat of November after a hectic October, or the new weather of April.

While many consider February to be the most mind-numbing, energy sapping, emotionally bankrupt month of any school year, I like the momentum of its weeks leading up to spring break.

The end of each academic year, of course, is marked by commencement. For graduating seniors, this momentous event stands as a watchtower, or tollbooth, to a different future. For everyone else, it is a harbinger to the same future lived differently: a time to reflect on the year past and begin the long process of making new year’s resolutions for the September to come. Our conclusions about the year past, though, will have less to do with the actual events than they will our memories of those events.

I often feel as though I live my life in the past tense; each year measured against the years that have come before. Memory is a mechanism that helps process experiences. Several years ago, I attended my mother’s retirement party from The Kent School. As I was standing with her, Kent Headmaster the Rev. Richard Schell came up and said, “You may not think this is fun right now but you will tomorrow,” which I thought was a brilliant observation.

The things I dread are, in retrospect, never as bad as I had thought they would be, and the things I hype up with enthusiastic anticipation rarely deliver the full force of their promise. Life is lived most commonly somewhere in the middle of triumph and travail: the march of days and the obsessive judgment of what has been accomplished, produced, or learned in those 24-hour segments.

Our memories of a school year will define the experience, more so than the actual events of the school year. Those memories may very well be inaccurate, or revisionist, or rationalizing, or overly melodramatic, but they will become the reality, even if they bear little resemblance to what the reality actually was. And that’s fine. It is what makes the experience of an academic year unique for each of us. Twenty people can remember a circumstance, times of the year, or major watershed moments in different ways. Our memories are our unique DNA, our imprints and footprints, the traces or fingerprints we leave behind in the passage of time.

As we anticipate the upcoming new school year, aspire to live in the moment, be observant and pay attention. We can all promise to do that, yet it is likely we won’t fully embrace the moments until later in time. j

BRUNSWICK 2.0

By Amy Kundrat, Director of New Media

Mapping New Quests ’ W ick B l o g s

BRUNSWICK INTERACTIVE MAP PROJECT Brunswick is graced with three campuses that spread over 121 acres, and a history that spans 109 years of growth and expansion. Navigating the many facets of Brunswick is not always an easy task. With that in mind, for both new students and seasoned families, we’ve created an online interactive map as a way to illustrate and explore the entire school—from Maher Avenue to Maple and King Streets.

In addition to being an important navigation tool for our Brunswick community, we are excited to share and use the interactive map as an educational tool to highlight historical facts. It will also feature embedded photos and videos that are designed so that we can continuously add and update information.

We invite you to explore this new addition to our website at brunswickschool.org/campusmap, and look forward to your feedback.

We’ve recently launched several new blogs managed by our students and faculty. If you have a moment, please check them out: VisualArts.brunswickschool.org; Wickreads.brunswickschool.org; Crew.brunswickschool.org; Chronicle.brunswickschool.org; Community.brunswickschool.org; and WaterPolo.brunswickschool.org

’ W ick T V Over the past year we’ve been working closely with Bleachers, a company that streams live sporting events.

Inspired by his own busy schedule and the variety of his daughters’ games and events, Bleachers founder Sam Klein, a GA father, is working with both Brunswick and GA to install cameras on our athletic fields. This will give parents, families and students a bird’s-eye view of seasonal games they might not have otherwise been able to attend. Bleachers will soon be available on a subscription basis to families at both schools. For more information visit brunswickschool.org/media/wick-tv/

Oth e r n e w m e d i a n e w s … ’ W ick A pp U p d ates The ’Wick App has been updated to include Android and BlackBerry platforms in addition to iPhone. You can download it at mobileroadie. com/apps/Brunswick.

If you have any questions or would like more information about these or other new media initiatives at Brunswick, please contact Amy Kundrat akundrat@brunswickschool.org.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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’w ck History Comes Alive with a Visit from Sarah Bush It wasn’t an aberration. Sarah Bush, born in 1742, was seen walking into Brunswick Lower School. At least it looked like Sarah Bush.

Actually, it was Lucy Van Atta from Greenwich Historical Society, dressed as the prominent matron whose house, the Bush-Holley Historic Site, is a mustsee for local history buffs. Bedecked in clothing of the era—including an exact reproduction of the black mourning dress and white lace cap seen in the portrait of Sarah at Bush-Holley painted in 1818 (when she was 76 years old)— Mrs. Van Atta, a masterful storyteller, visited Brunswick 2nd graders to give an animated presentation that tied in

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with one of the students’ social studies units, “The History of Greenwich.” Her husband, John Van Atta, is a Brunswick School master teacher, Oaklawn Chair in American History and Upper School history teacher.

In what was her 8th annual spring visit to the Lower School, “Sarah Bush” spoke to the boys about life in Greenwich as a young girl, young woman, mother, and grandmother. She talked about the impact of the Revolutionary War on her family, and how her house was one of the few in Greenwich not burned by British soldiers.

“The enemies were lobbing cannonballs in Long Island Sound and decimating

By Bonni Brodnick

houses along the shore,” she told the boys.

Considered one of the most prosperous and elegant women in Greenwich in the 1700s, she spoke of her multitasks as a wife, mother, nurse, pharmacist, gardener, seamstress, and teacher. The boys were incredulous when she told them that, at one point, between her children, the servants and their children, there were 26 people living under one roof at the Bush-Holley house.

“If we do the math, we had to cook 78 meals per day and more than 28,000 meals in one year,” she said.

From her basket she showed dried chamomile flower petals to make tea, corn husk doll, a pewter die for an 18th-century board game called “Morris,” a bulls-head powder horn that the soldiers in the 18thcentury used to carry gunpowder, a lead musket ball the size of a robin’s egg, and a cross-stitch sampler.

“And that, dear masters of Brunswick, is my story,” she concluded after the 45-minute presentation.

“I like when she was pretending she was one of the Redcoats and was marching around the room. I think it was funny and cool,” said Michael O’Malley ’21 afterwards.

“I really liked the part where she said she didn’t know what we played after doing our homework,” said Parker Russell ’21. “I like to play Batman on my computer, and Nintendo DS and Wii … and I think I’m going to play tonight. After my homework.”

“I love speaking with the Brunswick 2nd graders. They are a friendly and attentive audience who are responsive, enthusiastic, and bright-eyed,” said “Sarah Bush.” “The boys know about the American Revolutionary War, the Redcoats, the battles of Lexington and Concord, and the ‘Shot heard ’round the world.’ Already by second grade, they are very good American historians.”

’ wick S nippets

Hugh Jessiman ’02 Makes NHL Debut

By Sam Epstein ’02 On February 27, former Brunswick standout athlete Hugh Jessiman ’02 made his National Hockey League debut for the Florida Panthers against the New Jersey Devils. Hugh’s presence was felt right away as he generated quality-scoring chances and threw several solid hits.

On two different occasions, he beat the defense and broke in and fired shots on Devils’ hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur. The team and the fans were thrilled with Hugh’s high-impact debut as the 6'5", 230-pound Darien native brought energy and a physical presence to the lineup.

“It was a thrill to be out there,” said Jessiman. “A childhood dream came true that started at the Darien Ice Rink and continued through my youth hockey days at Brunswick.”

Hugh, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has put himself in a great position to lock up a full-time spot on an NHL roster next year. The Brunswick School community wishes Hugh the best as he continues to pursue his dream of being a star in the NHL.

Front: Senior Costas Hadjipateras; Back (left to right): Juniors Craig Ruzika, Max Heiden, Tommy O’Malley, David Fitzpatrick, Garratt Stuart, and Jack Williams

Dig It: The Sustainable Agriculture Club is Growing Brunswick juniors David Fitzpatrick and Max Heiden, co-presidents of the Sustainable Agriculture Club (SAC), broke ground in early March as they began building a garden behind the Upper School on Maher Avenue. In an effort to connect with faculty, staff, and the Greenwich community, 20 club members have used all-organic materials to enrich the environment while also hoping to produce a hearty bounty.

Over spring break, classmates Michael Chronert and Craig Ruzika helped David transport lumber and materials to the backfield, who continued to lay the groundwork for the next four days by excavating, readying the soil, and fencing in the 12 x 24-foot garden. After spring break, the entire club pitched in to install a state-of-the-art automated drip irrigation system. Added to the mix were several types of earthworms to fertilize the soil and ladybugs to help naturally fend-off harmful pests.

Throughout the month, club members met every Sunday to plant, harvest (and have a good time!). David and Max organized a weekly rotation to take care of spraying natural fertilizer, organic pesticides, and water. Over summer break, club members coordinate who will be in town to oversee the garden. An automated irrigation system helps when there was lack of manpower.

Come fall, the Brunswick agricultural aficionados plan to continue harvesting lettuce, tomatoes, peas, broccoli, onions, spinach, peppers, berries and raspberries. To spice things up, there will also be basil, dill, sage and other herbs. Most of the crops will be given to the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester, which offers weekly emergency food services to hundreds of families and adults.

“SAC wants to advocate how easy it is to grow sustainably without artificial chemicals,” said David. “Our other mission is also to help, in some small way, end local hunger.”

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New in Development: Meghan McCarthy and Courtney Kennedy If you’re at the Maher Avenue campus, please stop by the Development Office to meet two new members of the team: Meghan McCarthy, associate director of development, and Courtney Kennedy, communications assistant.

Meghan comes to us from School of the Holy Child development office in Rye (N.Y.). Over 11 years at the school, Meghan served as director of development, development associate, director of special events, associate director of development, Upper and Middle School advisor, Habitat for Humanity advisor, and varsity squash coach.

A Class of ’95 School of the Holy Child alumna, Meghan received a B.A. in communications from Villanova University

in 1999, Certificate in Fund Raising Management from Columbia University in 2004, and an MS in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy from Fordham University in 2010.

Meghan has been on the New York State Association of Independent Schools development conference planning committee since 2008 and was a CASE/NAIS preconference speaker in 2010.

Courtney is a 2004 graduate of Middlebury College, with a degree in art history and history. Prior to joining Brunswick, she worked for Bear Naked Granola as an East Coast sales manager, where she did selling and marketing via sporting events. After a quick stint in marketing for Versus Sports Network,

Courtney Kennedy

Meghan McCarthy

Courtney joined Daymon Design, a strategic branding agency where she managed the design process for the creation of multiple private label brands, including product packaging for both domestic and international grocery stores.

“We are delighted to welcome Meghan and Courtney,” said Tom Murray, executive director of development. “The experience they bring to the Development Office will help us implement new programs and initiatives to better service our Brunswick community.”

Upper School Arabic Students Get Totally Immersed Every spring, Brunswick School Arabic teacher Ali Al-Maqtari encourages his students to “Live the language to learn it.” As part of Arabic Immersion Week, students dress in traditional clothing from Arabic speaking countries, speak to one another in Arabic inside and outside the classroom, and participate in activities involving use of the language, including traditional Arabic dances, music,

film, and television. According to Chris Barnett, a Brunswick sophomore and Arabic II student, “Arabic Immersion Week is the best. You get a taste of the Middle East without leaving Greenwich.”

Brunswick School’s Arabic program, under the auspice of Mr. Al-Maqtari, has continued to evolve since it was launched in 2006. The program now offers Arabic I to IV and goes from introduction to the alphabet, vocabulary and conversation skills, to mastery of the language, working towards fluency, and striving for comprehension.

“Dressing in the native garb and speaking only Arabic during Immersion Week gives us a chance to expand our

understanding of the Mideastern culture,” said Peter Briggs ’13.

“My students always look forward to Arabic Immersion Week,” said Mr. Al-Maqtari. “It’s a great opportunity for them to enhance their cultural education at many levels.”

This spring, Brunswick School launched the Foreign Language Immersion Program (FLIP). The endowment will enhance the Upper School Modern Language curriculum, which includes Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Latin, and Spanish, by offering study abroad opportunities to every Upper School student, regardless of financial aid, so that they can practice their language skills, live with host families, and further their understanding of the world.

Back (left to right): Kyle Wolstencroft ’11, Ryan Amill ’14, Joe Beninati ’12, Matias Gonzalez-Bunster ’12, Ali Al-Maqtari, Addison Pierce ’12 Front (left to right): Spencer McDonough ’14, Ally Sterling ’14, James Bell ’14, Marissa Sterling ’12;

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Photos: Joan Michie Center Photo: Kim Iorillo

A Visit to ’Wick: Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal Author & Illustrator There was a sense of magic in the Lower School library when Jerry Pinkney, 2010 Caldecott Medal-winning author, illustrator, and one of the most acclaimed narrative artists of our time, came in to speak with the boys about writing and drawing. Illustrator of over 100 titles, winner of five New York Times “Best Illustrated Books,” Mr. Pinkney has received five Coretta Scott King Awards and four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards. His books have been translated into 16 languages and published in 14 countries. And that’s just a slice of Mr. Pinkney’s accomplishments and accolades.

“There’s something special about knowing that your stories can alter the way people see the world and their place within it,” said the author of such renowned books as The Lion & the Mouse, The Little Match Girl and A Starlit Somersault Downhill. He has also re-imagined and adapted such classics as Little Red Riding Hood and The Ugly Duckling.

While most of his work is fiction, it rests on a platform of research. The boys were intrigued to learn that Mr. Pinkney has a personal library of over 3,000 books.

“When I was growing up, my private space was about the size of a drawing pad,” he said as he recounted his family of eight living in a small house and his sharing a room with two older brothers.

He related how his struggle with reading and writing made him hungry to embrace language as a visual storyteller.

“Since I’m dyslexic, I needed a different way to take in information,” he said.

“I had a passion for color and painting, and a sense that I had a gift to interpret things and create images. Drawing gave me a sense of self-esteem. It made me feel valued and centered.”

As he got older, he also wanted to be a strong role model for his family and for other African Americans.

“I wanted to show my children the possibilities that lay ahead for them,” he

continued. “As a father and an illustrator, striving to avoid stereotypes, I understood art’s power to construct perceptions about race and society.”

As Mr. Pinkney stood at an easel and rendered a few sketches, he explained how he starts with the head and eyes because it gives symmetry to the drawing.

“It’s the drawing that has to drive the story. My illustrations provide a visual journey,” he said.

The boys were captivated and intrigued to learn more.

“How does it feel to win a Caldecott Medal?” asked one of the students.

“It’s a really good feeling, but even better to know that you did your best work after 50 years.”

What inspires him?

“Nature, things, whatever is around me,” Mr. Pinkney concluded. ”One of the great things about drawing is that there are so many ways to do it. The invention and creation is what makes it so exciting.”

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Mr. Stephens’s Magic Tricks

By Ty Pastore ’20 Editor’s Introduction: Jim Stephens, a beloved Brunswick teacher for 26 years, is the master of abracadabra both in the classroom as a Middle School math teacher and on the courts as a preeminent squash coach. With a keen mind for facts and figures, plays and scores, he has memorized every page of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, along with Random House College Dictionary—Revised Edition. Herein he shares his whiz-ardry with a class of mesmerized Lower School students.

One Wednesday, a really sudden and exciting thing happened. A man named Mr. Stephens came to our 3rd grade classroom! Mr. Stephens is a very interesting person. He teaches Middle School math. He is a math whiz! He is even a squash coach!

For his demonstration, he handed everyone a folded up piece of paper and told us not to open it until he gave us permission. He said that the first trick he was going to show us was that he had memorized the entire whole dictionary.

We didn’t believe him.

“I’ll prove it to you,” he said.

Mr. Stephens then asked two of my fellow classmates for any threedigit number.

“786,” said one.

“546,” said the other.

“Now subtract those two numbers from each other,” Mr. Stephens said.

We did.

“Is the word at the top of the page in the dictionary ‘default’?” asked Mr. Stephens.

My friend opened the dictionary, and to all of our amazement, the word was “default.” Amazing!

“I just proved to you that I really have memorized the whole dictionary,” Mr. Stephens explained to us. “Those

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were completely random three-digit numbers, right guys?”

They were random numbers, but the piece of paper he had handed to me at the beginning of class was still in my pocket.

I wanted to open it and look at what was written on it, but I couldn’t because I didn’t want to let Mr. Stephens down.

To prove that he really and truly had memorized the whole dictionary, Mr. Stephens did more math problems.

He called on a student, told him a threedigit number, reversed the digits, and then found the difference. Mr. Stephens got the correct word every time. Using his photographic memory, he can tell you what word is on every single page of the Random House College Dictionary— Revised Edition. In fact, he knows it cold.

The urge to open the folded piece of paper still in my palm grew bigger and bigger.

When it was my turn, Mr. Stephens asked my friend Josh for a new three-digit number. I asked Mr. Stephens what this had to do with my piece of paper.

“You’ll see,” he said.

Josh told us that his number was 453.

Mr. Stephens called on my other friend Jamie for a three-digit number.

“796,” Jamie said. Mr. Stephens wrote the number 506 on the whiteboard.

“Can somebody please add up all of those numbers for me?” he asked.

I quickly got a piece of scrap paper and added the numbers.

“1,755!” I said.

Mr. Stephens smiled at me.

“Now take out the piece of paper that I gave to you at the beginning of class,” he told me. I took it out of my pocket, unfolded it and there it was: the number 1,755.

“How do you do that?” the whole entire class yelled at once.

“Now, for my next trick,” Mr. Stephens said. From a small container, he pulled out a nail that had been hammered into a wooden board.

“Who thinks that I can balance six other nails on top of this one?” he asked.

“I bet you a million dollars you can’t,” said my friend Mclain.

“We’ll see about that,” he said.

With the six other nails, Mr. Stephens began building a neat little contraption.

“Now,” he said, “I am going to balThird grader Mclain Kingery delivering a thank you note to Mr. Stephens.

ance this on top of that nail!”

We watched him slowly balance the contraption on top of the nail.

“Well, that’s my final trick,” he said.

“No!” yelled Mclain. “I just lost a million dollars!”

Mr. Stephens just smiled at him.

“You can work the rest of your life to pay me,” he said.

That is just about exactly what happened when Mr. Stephens visited our class.

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Haley Christie ’11: A Cosby Scholar For 30 years, Robert L. Cosby’s ebullient presence graced Brunswick School’s campus. His welcoming handshake and beaming smile warmed countless hearts and spirits. Mr. Cosby’s name, reputation and his many life-lessons prevail, thanks in large part to the loyal generosity of Brunswick families, alumni, and friends.

On February 24, the 7th year of his passing, we fondly remembered Mr. Cosby.

His legacy as Brunswick’s real-life hero continues to thrive, and one of the more meaningful tributes is the Class of 2009 Cosby Scholar. Proceeds from the Class of 2009 Senior Fund were used to endow this scholarship and fund the tuition and fees for a deserving young man who meets the criteria of a “Cosby Scholar.”

This year’s recipient, Haley Christie ’11, displayed the same generosity, kindness and inclusion of others that made him the clear choice. Since he began Brunswick in 6th grade, Haley has been considered by both students and faculty to be thoughtful and engaged. Along with bringing energy and enthusiasm to the classroom, he demonstrated equal discipline and focus to both his passion for sports, as well as theatrical productions at Brunswick and GA.

“Mr. Cosby was always happy to look at people straight in the eye and give a warm hello,” said Haley. “This was really welcoming to a shy 6th grader who was making such a big transition to a completely different school and community.

“Though I only knew him for a short time, Mr. Cosby reinforced the morals and etiquette taught to me by my parents. He

showed how simple things like a sincere smile and firm handshake can brighten someone’s day,” Haley continued.

“Having shared this personal experience with this great man has had an incredible impact on my life. I am honored to receive a scholarship in Mr. Cosby’s name because it has led to the continuance of the truthful ideals he impressed upon everyone he met,” Haley said. “Mr. Cosby illustrated how a Brunswick education is a lot more than academics. I know that the combination of everything I experienced here will help me in the future, no matter where I go or what I do.”

Haley will attend University of New Haven this fall, where he intends to major in forensic science. We wish him much continued success in all of his upcoming endeavors.

An Enchanting Visit from Oscar Andy Hammerstein On a stop from his national book tour, author/lecturer/theater connoisseur Oscar Andy Hammerstein, grandson of the late lyricist-librettist Oscar Hammerstein II, spoke to the Upper School students about the impact of his family on American musical theater.

The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2010) is the story of one of Broadway’s most productive and creative families. Along with showing rare archival photos, programs, and a unique chronology, Andy gave firsthand accounts of his family’s creative continuum, dating back to 1864, when Oscar Hammerstein I emigrated to America and established himself as a successful cigar merchant before turning his attention to the business of music and theaters.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Andy’s grandfather—Oscar Hammerstein II—was integral in bringing the golden age to Broadway with such major highkicking musical hits as South Pacific, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Showboat, Carousel, Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music.

“Having Andy Hammerstein visit our Brunswick community was something we’ll always remember,” said Alexander Constantine, Brunswick School’s musical/ choral director and faculty member. “It was a privilege to have been given a peak into his vast knowledge of the American theater, and to have a truly behind-thescenes insight to this ever-evolving musical genre that has surely influenced the artistic souls of our students.”

Author/lecturer/theater connoisseur Oscar Andy Hammerstein

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Remembering Brian Sur ’84:

My Superhero and Bro

By Teja McDaniel ’85

The following is an excerpt of a letter written in honor of Brian Sur ’84. and read at his wake on February 19, 2011, in Charlotte, N.C.

t was the autumn of 1982 on the swamp we called Everett Field. As a Brunswick sophomore selected to play varsity football, I was less than enthusiastic when Coach Peterson decided I split my practice time playing with the junior varsity team. Little did I know, that lackluster jog across the field would change my life.

When I arrived at JV practice, a group of sloppy-clad players were gathered in a practice drill known as the pit. In the middle of the huddle, surrounded by teammates, was a kid of decent size, demolishing his challengers, leaving them grass-stained and weary. I could tell, from the dismayed look of the next mudspackled opponent, this was not his first round with the hungrily grinning champion.

From within the huddled scrum I heard my name, “McDaaaaniel.” I spotted Coach Jack Ayer as he made his way through the mob, distinguishable from his players by his lack of equipment and thick blond moustache. “Welcome to the JV, McD,” he said. “Now get in there with Suuuuur.”

Was that a title or a name? As I turned to face The Sur, I knew I was being sized up. I was in no mood for a coup. We squared off on each other and, on Coach Ayer’s whistle, Sur launched at me, our pads colliding with a crack of thunder. His brute force slammed into me, but my palms pummeled him

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back. With piston action, I drove into him as we toppled over like the Colossus. The Sur tumbled back and the team let out a resounding, “ahhhhh.”

History is written by the victors and in this case, I won’t argue with that. If Brian “The Sur” told this story the round went to him. While I won’t deny that his version may in fact be true, I honestly don’t recall. But it would be like Brian to get back up and have another go, and another go, until he won the round.

The following year, Brian and I were on varsity. We were part of the first ever Fairchester League Football Championship team and helped start a winning streak that lasted three seasons.

Brian wore that ugly, brown, plastic, championship jacket with pride for years.

Our friendship spanned decades beyond graduation from Brunswick. At our weddings, we were each other’s best man.

Brian was strong and fervent, a superhero in our midst. With Clark Kent-like looks it wasn’t hard to imagine the Superman “S” emblazed on his massive chest. He had a heart of gold and a kindness that emanated from his mischievous smile. For over 28 years, he was a part of my family; more than just a brother, a kindred spirit and brethren champion.

When I moved to Australia, my home became a vacation destination for Brian. When he visited last winter we were like

©iStockphoto.com/pro6x7

view from Great ocean road, Australia

Teja McDaniel ’85 and Brian Sur ’84

two kids: we played, saw sharks, and fed the kangaroos at the Taronga Zoo. On our drive to Sydney, we coasted along Ocean Road to Bells Beach where the movie Point Break was filmed.

At each turn, he commented on how great the scenery was.

Brian loved Sydney Tower and the ferry ride at Manly Beach.

He glorified in feeling the waters of the Southern Ocean and South Pacific on his feet.

Upon our return from the grand tour of Sydney, on the evening of February 5, I gave Brian a hug goodnight since he intended to get on the computer for a few hours. He said he was tired and wanted to rest … and so he has.

The following morning I found him in his bed, and for a man who had fought many a battle, his passing was quiet and peaceful. My wife and I told our boys, Tristan (6) and Liam (3) that Uncle Brian had to get home in a rush but they repeatedly asked when he would return.

I would have done anything for Brian and in the end there was nothing I could do but hug him again, ask him to say hello to other loved ones we had lost, and wish him well on his next glorious adventure.

On Brian’s birthday last April, a portion of his ashes were placed at Bells Beach where the South Ocean met the South Pacific.

I love you, Bro, and as you would say, I mean it. j

“He had a heart of gold and a kindness that emanated from his mischievous smile."

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Compiled By Diana samponaro

Hockey

BRUNSWICK

All photos by Dan Burns (unless otherwise noted)

By Coach Ron Van Belle

This was truly a remarkable season for our hockey program, one that will set the standard for Brunswick teams of the future. In only our second full season of Division I prep hockey, we compiled a record of 18–7–1 and defeated traditional New England powers Kent and Westminster along the way. Our seven Seniors—Vincent Baulne-Charland, Tommy Dwyer, Matt Henkel, Connor Koorbusch, Ernie Rosato, Bo Stafford, and Toshi Terai—led the Brunswick team to a berth in the Large School Division I New England Tournament for the first time in school history. The Bruins earned the #7 seed in the eightteam tournament, falling to the #2 ranked Westminster in the quarterfinals.

An early season tie at Dexter proved that the Bruins could compete with the big boys of Division I prep hockey and propelled the team to greater heights. After dropping a couple of early games, the team reeled off 16 wins in their last 20 games, with two of the four losses over that stretch coming in overtime.

Captain Tommy Dwyer, a hard-skating winger, tallied 12 goals and 21 assists (33 points). We wish the best of luck to Dwyer as he takes his talents to Division I college hockey at Holy Cross next year.

Assistant captain Bo Stafford, the team’s best one-on-one player, repeatedly dangled defenses while scoring 33 points. A three goal third period—two scored by Stafford—lifted us to a 3–2 win against TrinityPawling and propelled us to our playoff berth.

Playmaker Luke Esposito lead the team in points (34) while playing on the team’s top power-play and penalty kill unit. Kevin Duane, the model of consistency, steadily produced throughout the season with (15 goals–18 assists). Proving that he is one of prep hockey’s premier power forwards, John Hayden lit it up in the second half of the season, finishing with 21 goals. With his energy and speed, Toshi Terai set the tone each and every game, highlighting his season with a third period tally to topple Westminster in the regular season. The Bruins’ depth at forward allowed them to compete with New England’s best, as third-liners Harry Clifford, Nicholas Sanchez, Stephan Seeger, and Liam Slyne played valuable minutes throughout the season. Senior Ernie Rosato rounded out the forward line and provided inestimable leadership in the locker room.

Junior goaltender Gryphon Richardson, a fierce competitor and an unwavering force between the pipes, gave the Bruins a chance to win every night. He was undoubtedly one of the team’s true leaders on and off the ice. Sophomore Omeed Alidadi stepped in to goal when called upon and showed steady signs of improvement as the season progressed.

On the back end, the Bruins were led by a trio of Seniors in Connor Koorbusch, Matt Henkel, and Vincent Baulne-Charland. Assistant captain Koorbusch played hard-nosed, inspiring defense every time he took the ice. Henkel stepped up his game in the second half of the season and played a significant part in the team’s defensive success. The school’s first-ever Canadian billeting senior, Baulne-Charland, quarterbacked our power-play unit and finished the year with an impressive 28 points. Junior John Baker contributed valuably in his first season with the team, while other new additions, Peter Khoury and Michael Faulkner, rounded out our defensive core, showing signs that they will be future impact players. Captains Luke Esposito and Gryphon Richardson are more than ready to lead the Bruins in 2011–2012 when they begin their third season as contenders in the NEPSAC Division I hockey competition.

BRUINS

Athletics Coordinator

Baseball

Coach Johnny Montañez began his varsity-coaching career at Brunswick with a talented and eager baseball team working hard and competing against some tough opponents during their pre-season trip to Florida. Tim Daly again served as the team’s pitching coach while Tom Murray worked as the official hitting coach.

Captains Brendon Hardin and Will Preziosi, along with fellow Seniors J. P. Bowgen, Ryan Chen, Daniel Fraser, Peter Harris, Matthew Henkel, Ernie Rosato, and Kevin Scanlan led the team to a 4th place finish and a 10–7 record in the FAA. Their overall record this season was 13–9. Among the list of team accomplishments 1) Bradley Wilpon’s no-hitter against the Masters School, 2) Will Preziosi hit an even .500, and 3) Brian Schutzman won 5 games and the team’s Cy Young Award. A trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., where the Bruins played the Hill School on Doubleday Field was an especially great baseball moment. Expectations are high for next spring when Jack Voigt takes the field as captain.

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Golf

While many will remember spring 2011 as one of endless rain, the Brunswick golf team was in the midst of a 24-match winning streak from mid-April to early May. The final season tally of 29 wins and only 5 losses left the Bruins with a 4th place in the FAA. In addition, the team had an impressive 7–0 record in New England boarding school competition. Other season highlights include two tournament championships, the Hotchkiss Invitational Tournament with a 6-team field and the 12-team Fishers Island Invitational. Dylan Robbins was the 2nd low medalist and Daniel Weld 3rd low medalist at Fishers Island. The team was ably led by Captains Wes Koorbusch, a four-year varsity golfer, and Dylan Robbins, the winner of the Doc Bevacqua award.

Fellow Senior Lee Lowden earned FAA Honorable Mention. Coach Anthony Fischetti and assistant coach Jim Stephens are confident that Brunswick varsity golf team’s future is bright with nine returning players for the 2012 spring season under the leadership of Captains Will MacFarlane and Jay Wong.

Basketball

The Brunswick basketball season had many highlights, including the team’s inaugural appearance at the St. Sebastian School’s holiday tournament—where we defeated the host school. In January, the squad enjoyed a thrilling 2-point win over St. Luke’s School in front of a raucous crowd in a “whiteout” game in Dann Gym. The combination of injuries and some tight losses meant the team ended up on the short end of the score more times than not, but their resiliency and spirit never left them. Coaches Greg Dobbs and Anthony Fischetti were again assisted by Steve Vasaka ’99 and they, along with captains Alex Gattinella, Brendon Hardin, and Chris Kenny, worked throughout the winter to lead the team during what was inarguably a difficult season for the Bruins.

The team was poised to pull off a tremendous upset at St. Luke’s in the first round of the FAA Tournament, but narrowly lost to the eventual league-champions. At the Father-Son Dinner, Captain Chris Kenny quipped, “According to the motto, ‘losing builds character,’ we are one classy team.”

His remarks were right on target as the team demonstrated the type of effort and sportsmanship that typifies Brunswick athletics throughout a challenging season. The 2011–12 Bruins will be led by Captains Devin Mehra, Billy Murphy, and Addison Pierce.

Sailing

Coach Andrew Scrivan ’95 is understandably proud of his team bringing home the Fairfield Cup this season. That particular regatta features 4 divisions and Brunswick won 3 out of 4 while placing 3rd in the other division. The team began the spring with a great trip to SailLaser in Miami, which gave them the opportunity to sail in warmer waters.

Captains Ed Carroll and Brendan Chin led the team to a season of 18 wins and 3 losses including a 6th place at the Connecticut State Championship Regatta at the Coast Guard Academy. The team enjoyed the hospitality of Indian Harbor again this spring and was especially grateful to have the use of such a wonderful facility. Earning a strong standing in the FAA, along with a talented group of returning sailors, guarantees that Captains James Barry and Jack Schneider have a lot to look forward to in 2012.

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Tennis

By Coach George Boynton

Each team and each season is unique. The 2011 tennis team was led by Co-Captains John Brosens and Kyle Wolstencroft. These talented seniors proved strength and steady leadership for a squad of players new to the intensity of varsity high school tennis.

The team record was 11–4 with the unfortunate loss of several matches due to poor weather. Let’s just say that the weather in April was not good for tennis.

We returned to Maryland to compete in the NEMA Tournament held at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills.

Their fourth straight trip to the finals of the New England Championship Tournament ended with a hard-fought defeat of 4–1 by Hopkins. The players are to be congratulated on their effort and good sportsmanship. A strong, young team returns in 2012 led by Captain Robbie Rovelli.

Wrestling

By Coach John Martin

The Brunswick wrestling team entered Ostrye Wrestling Gymnasium in November with a great deal of optimism. Gutting their way through a trying winter, they emerged in late February with incredibly success.

The team finished its dual meet season with a 17–3 record. The three defeats came in a later-avenged two-point loss to Avon, a 27–42 loss to the #1 team in New England (NMH), and a loss to a tough Greenwich High squad. Otherwise, Brunswick was dominant in its regular season. We won the Canterbury Tournament for the first time ever, set a points record (over 400) in winning the Brunswick Invitational Tournament, and won the FAA league title for the 27th time in the last 28 years.

At the State and New England tournaments, Brunswick had some phenomenal individual performances, but fell just short of its team goals. In taking 3rd place as a team at States, Brunswick crowned three first-time State Champions in Haley Christie ’11, Darrick Ridenhour ’12, and co-captain Patrick Wales ’11. Co-captain Corey Kupersmith, a defending State Champion, took 2nd place to a very tough opponent. At the New Englands, in addition to those four wrestlers placing again, Chris Barnett ’13 came in 4th and Jimmy Bell ’14 came in 8th to help Brunswick to an 11th place finish overall.

While we will miss a deep class of Seniors that also included four-year starter Preston Baldwin ’11, three-year starter Victor Holten ’11, Nick Ruppel ’11, and Alexander Graf ’11, the great tradition of Brunswick wrestling will be carried on next season under the leadership of Captain Costas Hadjipateras.

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BRUINS

Fencing

The fencing team had an outstanding season with a greatly expanded schedule. While continuing under the tutelage of Coach Orest Stetsiv, the team also benefitted from the organizational efforts of Coach Vanessa Moors. Captains Alejandro Ceballos and Rick Salame ably led the team through their 10-match season.

As the team progressed in ability, their confidence level and overall enthusiasm grew exponentially. Quite a few of the home matches drew significant crowds.

Greenwich Academy students Sara Calle, Lauren Eames, and Ashley Jones also contributed their talents to the 14-member team this winter. Coach Moors feels confident that the Brunswick fencing program will continue to grow and improve with a well-established schedule and reputation in the FAA. Captains Jack Costello, Pierre Delcourt, and Rick Salame are poised to lead the team forward next season.

BRUNSWICK

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Lacrosse

By Coach David Bruce

The 2011 season was another successful one for the Brunswick lacrosse program. We had a slow start, as we had trouble hitting our stride in the early season games in Florida. However, under the leadership of Captains David Better and Bo Stafford, along with seniors Nick Brown, Spencer Dahl, Tate Daugherty, Will Driscoll, Josh Green, Connor Koorbusch, Jack Kraus, Brian Macfarlane, Conrad Oberbeck, Leo Russell, and Toshi Terai, we figured things out. We finished our season with a record of 15 and 5, putting us in a tie for second place in New England—the best league finish to date. It was a great year and much of the credit goes to our Seniors who leave us as the “winning-est.” class since Brunswick joined the Western New England Division I ranks.

In four years, this class compiled a record of 50 wins and 22 losses (and that is with an 8 and 8 record in 2008). The group hit all sorts of milestones: #3 rank in 2009, #2 rank in 2011, single season goal records, career goal record, single season point record, career point record, single game save record … to name a few.

While all of their achievements are notable, the most impressive characteristic of this group was how inclusive they were. The camaraderie is what will be long remembered. A number of seniors are continuing their lacrosse careers in college—David Better and Conrad Oberbeck will be playing for Yale, Bo Stafford is headed to Georgetown, and Will Driscoll is Hamilton-bound. We wish them the best of luck.

Coaches David Bruce, Brendan Gilsenan, Rob Follansbee, and Trip Cowin are understandably proud of the outstanding record compiled by this year’s Bruins and have every reason to expect another great year ahead. A talented group of underclassmen return for the 2012 spring season with Captains Eddie DeDomenico, Billy Heidt, and John Kelly heading up the senior leadership.

Squash

Coach Jim Stephens and Assistant Coach George Boynton worked with another outstanding group of squash players this winter.

The Varsity A team finished 1st in the FAA, 3rd in New England, and 5th in the nation.

Captain Cooper Briggs, along with Seniors Matt Shang and Ned Whelan, led the team to a 12 and 2 record. Most would say that the 4–3 win over Taft, played in front of the Taft fans, was one of the highlights of the season.

Hayes Murphy finished 4th in New England at #1 as a 9th grader, Reid Breck 2nd in New England at #4, and Michael Petrick 2nd in New England at #5. Congratulations go to Alex Baldock ’13 who won the New England Championship match at #7. An incredibly deep and talented roster will return next season with Captains Cooper Briggs and Michael Petrick at the helm.

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Crew

By John Martin

Brunswick once again fielded a very deep (54 oarsmen) rowing team that challenged the toughest competition in New England. The team was ably captained by four-year men Ryan Gartin ’11 and Thomas Wilson ’11. Senior leadership and experience was provided by two-year Varsity Eight members Duncan Fraser ’11 and Will Curry ’11, who raced the single scull.

The Varsity Eight finished the regular season with a 6–6 record and a Petite Final finish at the NEIRA. They improved over the course of the season and finished 3rd in a photo finish behind rival Salisbury at the Connecticut Championships.

The Second and Third Eights provided many wins for the BSBC with a pair of 10–2 dual meet records. They led the team in winning the Brunswick-Tabor Cup, captured a bronze medal at the Founder’s Day Regatta, and both boats made the Grand Finals at the NEIRA.

At the team’s end of season dinner, Head Coach Falco gave the team’s highest individual honor, the Coach’s Cup, to Graham Miller ’12, one of next year’s captains alongside Caleb Moran ’12 and Jack Williams ’12. Coach Martin presented Pete Rogan ’13 with the Most Improved Oarsman Award and Cooper Briggs ’12 with the Physical Fitness Challenge Award.

Track By Coach Robert Taylor

In their second season as a varsity sport, Brunswick’s track team has quickly developed into one of the stronger programs. Under the leadership of coaches Robert Taylor and Dwight Jackson, with help from Doug Burdett in the hurdles and Steve Polikoff in the shot, discus, and javelin, the team has thrived despite their lack of facilities. Access to the Rippowam High School track in Stamford supplemented by frequent use of stairs and circuit training led the team to an impressive list of achievements. Regular season highlights began with defeating Blind Brook (70–47) and competing in a tough Hill School Relays where we finished 4th out of 6 teams. The season continued with a great showing vs. Greenwich High School when we unofficially tied them and defeated Harding and Westhill in the same meet. In competition versus our Western New England rivals, we defeated Avon Old Farms and Trinity Pawling twice, defeated Kingswood-Oxford and narrowly lost to Taft. When competing with Hotchkiss, it was of note that we made significant showings even though we lost to the team that had won the NE Division I Track Championships in 2 out of the past 3 years.

Highlights of the Division II New England Championships saw Brunswick placing 4th out of 13 teams and missing 3rd place by one point. Several athletes established personal bests and significant school records. Jeffrey Jay long jumped over 22 feet, Ryan Hagerbrant in the 800 and 1500 meter races, Peter Geithner in the 3000 meter race, and Bradley Seaton in the shot put. Both 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams were outstanding. Other significant point earners were Jared Nowell in the 100 and 200 meter races and 4x100 relay, and Andrew Grasso in the 1500 and 3000 meter races.

The season was spearheaded by outstanding senior leadership, led by three Co-Captains, Andrew Grasso, Ryan Hagerbrant, and Jared Nowell along with fellow seniors David Jaramillo and Jeffrey Jay. The future certainly looks bright with plans already being made by next year’s Captains Patrick Figgie, Peter Geithner, Jake Matthews, and Devin Mehra.

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2010–2011 WINTER AND SPRING MAJOR ATHLETIC AWARDS Basketball Joe Koszalka Award........................................................ Brendon Hardin FAA All-League..............................................................Billy Murphy Honorable Mention.......................................................Devin Mehra Fencing MVP..............................................................................Jack Costello Most Improved .............................................................Robert Fernandez Sportsmanship Award..................................................... Pierre Delcourt Hockey Hal Rogers Award..........................................................Tommy Dwyer Squash Jim Stephens Racquets Award........................................Cooper Briggs FAA All-League..............................................................Cooper Briggs, Hayes Murphy, Matt Shang NE Champion...............................................................Alex Baldock Wrestling Peter deLisser Award.......................................................Patrick Wales FAA All-League..............................................................Preston Baldwin, Chris Barnett,

Haley Christie, Costas Hadjipateras,

Victor Holten, Corey Kupersmith,

Owen Schubert, Patrick Wales State Champions............................................................ Haley Christie, Darrick Ridenhour,

Patrick Wales Baseball Dutch King Award.........................................................Will Preziosi Cy Young Award............................................................Brian Schutzman Rookie Award.................................................................Sam Fraser FAA All-League..............................................................Brendon Hardin, Matthew Henkel,

Will Preziosi Honorable Mention.......................................................Jonny Mills Crew Coach’s Cup...................................................................Graham Miller Most Improved Oarsman............................................... Pete Rogan Physical Fitness Challenge.............................................. Cooper Briggs Golf Doc Bevacqua Award.....................................................Dylan Robbins FAA Honorable Mention...............................................Lee Lowden Four-Year Varsity Member.............................................. Wes Koorbusch continued

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Lacrosse Durkin Family Award.....................................................David Better John Altman Award........................................................Sammy MacFarlane Jeff Harris Award............................................................Brian Macfarlane Most Valuable Offense...................................................Bo Stafford Most Valuable Defense...................................................Will Driscoll Rookie Award.................................................................John Baker All-American..................................................................Bo Stafford Jim Wilson Award..........................................................Spencer Dahl (The League’s Top Academic All-American) Academic All-American..................................................David Better All-League..........................................................................David Better, Will Driscoll, Conrad Oberbeck, Bo Stafford Sailing MVP..............................................................................James Harvey Most Improved..............................................................Jack Fullerton Best Regatta Performance ..............................................James Barry Tennis Hartch Family Tennis Award..........................................Kyle Wolstencroft FAA Singles Champion..................................................Kyle Wolstencroft FAA All-League..............................................................John Brosens, Matthew Meija-Johnston,

Austin Milunovich, Kyle Wolstencroft Track Most Outstanding Runners............................................Ryan Hagerbrant, Jared Nowell Most Improved..............................................................Jeffrey Jay Sportsmanship Award.....................................................Andrew Grasso, David Jaramillo Rookie Award.................................................................Patrick Figgie

Seniors (Gus Conrades Varsity Athlete Award) Matthew Henkel.......... Football, Hockey, Baseball Ernie Rosato.................Football*, Hockey, Baseball Toshi Terai...................Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse

Three-Sport Varsity Athlete Awards 2010–2011

Juniors Cooper Briggs.............. Soccer, Squash*, Crew Jake Matthews..............Cross Country, Squash, Track Devin Mehra................ Cross Country, Basketball, Track Billy Murphy................Football, Basketball, Lacrosse Darrick Ridenhour....... Football, Wrestling, Track Donqutae Robinson.....Football, Basketball, Track Bradley Seaton.............Football, Basketball, Track Dylan Troy...................Football, Basketball, Crew Sophomores Christopher Hart......... Football, Squash, Baseball Peter Khoury................ Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse * Captain

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SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS 2010–2011 Presented to varsity athletes who have achieved High Honors for the year.

Baseball.......................................................J. P. Bowgen, Ryan Chen,

Brendon Hardin, Ryan Hardin, Peter Harris,

Ernie Rosato, Kevin Scanlan Basketball....................................................Brendon Hardin, Ryan Hardin, Chris Kenny Crew.............................................................Henry Baker, Michael Chronert, Jack Costello,

Ryan Gartin, Rex Johnson, Corey Juan,

Matthew Podlesak, Mac Singer Cross Country........................................Sten Arheden, Brendan Bozorgmir, Kyle Chen,

Spencer Dahl, Henry Dornier, Paul Dornier,

Andrew Grasso, Curren Iyer, Jake Matthews,

Andrew McMahon, Sam Waters, Mark Werner Fencing........................................................Alejandro Ceballos, Jack Costello, Peter Gatto,

Rick Salame Football..........................................................Chris Brown, Nick Brown, Michael Chronert,

Peter Harris, Ernie Rosato Golf..............................................................Will MacFarlane, Dylan Robbins Hockey........................................................Vincent Baulne-Charland, Ernie Rosato Lacrosse......................................................Charlie Better, Nick Brown, Spencer Dahl,

David Fitzpatrick, Curtis Townshend, Mark Werner Sailing..........................................................Jack Fullerton, Peter Gatto, John LaBossiere,

Spencer McDonough Soccer.........................................................Patrick Figgie, Alexander Graf, Luca Knupfer,

Jared Nowell Squash.........................................................Will MacFarlane, Jake Matthews, Ned Whelan,

James Whittemore Tennis...........................................................Henry Dornier, Paul Dornier, Luca Knupfer,

Austin Milunovich, Harry Parsons,

Kyle Wolstencroft, Monty Yort Track............................................................Kyle Chen, William Fein, Patick Figgie,

Andrew Grasso, Curren Iyer, David Jaramillo,

Jake Matthews, Jared Nowell Water Polo................................................David Fitzpatrick, Carter Johnson Wrestling...................................................Alexander Graf, Gregory Nabhan

Classroom b e y o n d

Trip to Greenkill

th e

By Amit Ramachandran ’18

Swoosh! Our feet glided across the frozen lake! During our three-day 5th-grade trip to Greenkill Environmental Education Center, a 1,000-acre classroom in Huguenot, N.Y., we hiked around the camp and the whole lake, and walked a narrow rope bridge over water. Our group learned about local animals and plants. Almost everywhere we stepped there were deer hoof prints. We also played games along the way. For Camouflage, we had to hide within a certain time limit and blend in with the scenery.

We also visited a sugar shack and had fun learning how maple syrup was made. According to history, one day, a Native American threw his tomahawk into a tree and left it there.

When he went to retrieve the hatchet at the end of the day, he noticed a piece of wood shaped like a bowl at the foot of the tree. Liquid was in the bowl. Thinking it was water, he boiled it and later discovered that it was sap. He continued boiling it, thus making syrup.

Greenkill was a great and exciting experience. I got to bond with friends, participate in activities (including kneehockey games and tubing), and explore nature. This was one of my favorite trips and it will be one of my best memories of fifth grade.

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Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, Cinco de Mayo As part of multicultural celebrations in Lower School, Brunswick 2nd graders observed the fifth day of May at a joint-celebration with GA. The event, alternating locations every other year, took place in Ramsing Gymnasium at GA. For more than nine years, the schools’ Group II students couple up to learn songs and dances that celebrate this southof-the-border and other Spanish-speaking countries holiday.

Above (front, left to right): Greenwich Academy 2nd graders Kaia Close and Ashley McKinnon with Ali Hindy and Peter Magliocco from Brunswick. (PHOTO CREDIT: Wayne Lin) Inset: Elysée Barakett and Sam Eichmann. (PHOTO CREDIT:Wendy Eichmann)

Best Wishes ...

Front: Mark Brito; middle: Simon Derby, Max Bergstein, Ned Camel, Harrison Caponiti, JJ vonOiste, Sebastian Hernandez, Matt Restieri, Mihir Chinai, Amit Ramachandran; Back (black and red jacket): Nick Breckenridge.

… to Cynnie Yates and BJ Gorman for more than 20 years of answering the call at Brunswick Upper School reception.

Before summer break, Headmaster Tom Philip, along with faculty and staff, gathered in Smith Garden to thank our devoted receptionists for their dedicated service.

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B e y o n d th e C l a s s r o o m

Launching the Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund: A Personal Calling The devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March was of particular significance to Brunswick senior Toshi Terai and John Booth, Brunswick History Department chair and Upper School history teacher. Both had close connections to the country. Terai has many relatives in Japan and Booth lived in the country for two years, not including two summers and more than three trips since.

“My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins live in Tokyo. Many didn’t have electricity for awhile, and there was a shortage of food,” said Terai. “As a Japanese citizen, the least I could do is something at Brunswick to help support my country. It’s going to take a very long time to clean up the devastation, but I knew that anything we did from here would be appreciated.”

“Through the sale of wristbands, bake sales and cash donations from Lower, Middle and Upper School divisions, the Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund raised $3,575.40,” said Booth.

“We decided to affiliate with the Japan Society, a U.S./Japanese cultural organization, since they vet and check charities to make sure donations are truly helping those in desperate need in Japan.”

The Japan Society helped identify four organizations to which 100 percent of Brunswick’s Japanese Earthquake Relief funds were donated: The Tokyo Volunteer Network for Disaster Relief is an seasoned disaster preparedness, relief and recovery organization based in Tokyo with experience in

the region (1998 Fukushima flood).

Brunswick’s funds will support the establishment of a distribution center in the city of Tome, Miyagi Prefecture, for food, water, blankets and other goods.

They will coordinate the efforts of approximately 3,000 volunteers who will come to the region in groups of 15–50 for one week at a time to help distribute emergency relief supplies and assist with cleanup efforts. [For more info: http:// www.tosaibo.net/ (Japanese only)].

JEN is an international humanitarian relief and development organization with experience in Japan, spending five years in Niigata in response to the 2004 and 2007 earthquakes. Brunswick’s funds will help support JEN’s work in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, a fishing village that is among the hardest hit by the tsunami. Primarily working in a shelter with approximately 2,500 people, JEN will provide emergency relief supplies and identify and support the community, that includes citizens who are among the most vulnerable (the elderly, disabled, those with special medical needs). The organization will also determine longer-term needs of communities and other hard-to-reach villages [http://www.jen-npo.org/en/ (English)].

ETIC is a leading organization that provides disaster relief and recovery training to young Japanese social leaders and business entrepreneurs. Brunswick funds will help them tap into its extensive network in order to establish Toshi Terai (right), founder of Brunswick School’s Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund, and John Brosens, who helped with the schoolwide initiative.

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a local headquarters in Sendai, begin a program to identify the most vulnerable (the elderly, disabled, those with special medical needs) and provide them with the emergency relief goods they need [http://www.etic.or.jp/english/index. html (English)].

Japan NPO Center, established after the Kobe earthquake to support the development of NPOs throughout Japan, will partner with its sister organization, the Civil Society Initiative Fund, to use Brunswick’s donation to help identify and support local community-based, grassroots NPOs and volunteer organizations involved in relief and sustainable recovery work throughout the affected region.

These grants will mostly be small in size, averaging 1,000,000 yen each, and will reach smaller community-based organizations with speed and flexibility [http:// www.jnpoc.ne.jp/?tag=english (English)].

B e y o n d th e C l a s s r o o m

Food for Thought Brunswick School Parents’ Association hosted a luncheon that featured guest speaker Barbara Strauch, deputy science editor of The New York Times and author of The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain: The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind.

Shown here (left to right) are current and past BPA presidents Christina Kazazes (2011–2012), Anne Castine (2009–2010), author Barbara Strauch, and Julie Johnson (2010–2011).

Ted Stolar Just Can’t Leave the Vroom After a stellar 37-year career at Brunswick as the Upper School visual arts teacher,* Ted Stolar is still sparky. With a love for all things automotive since he was a young boy, his muse continues to be in the same lot. He has driven, repaired, and rebuilt an assortment of cars over the years and at last count has owned and driven 10 motorcycles.

Ted is still in the fast lane with new projects. Check out his digital car art at Ted Stolar Digital Car Art (stolardigitalcarart.com) and his newest “Stolar Hot Rod Art” (http://stolarhotrodart. com/about/)

“The first site is my classic car site,” Ted said. “The second site Stolar Hot Rods gets a little more down and dirty with hot rods, motorcycles, and visits to junk yards.” Junkyards?

“They are beginning to disappear because there is less demand for their parts,” Ted said. “New cars are being made with plastic composites. Chrome bumpers and spinner hubcaps were the first to disappear. My work chronicles their demise,” he continued. “Oh, they were such treasures.”

Last summer, Ted was back on the road showing his digital artwork at SoWa Open Market, Boston’s Original Art and Indie Design Market.

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(* See Times of Brunswick, summer 2010 cover story) 1. Taking out an engine from a Chevy in the late ’60s or early ’70s.

2. “Red Junk Yard Door” 3. Ted revved it up to 150 mph when he completed the Frank Hawley NHRA Drag Racing School Adventure Program in Gainesville, Fla., in 2007.

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Saying It Simply In a study unit on Courage, Honor, Truth, the entire 4th grade wrote about Brunswick’s motto and its importance in our every day lives.

Honor is loving and respecting your family.

Honor is being a loyal friend.

Honor is being patriotic to your country.

Honor is having confidence in yourself.

Honor is having determination in your school work.

Honor is respecting Mr. Cosby.

Honor is respecting your school.

Honor is listening to someone.

Honor is respect in my family.

Honor is having confidence in myself.

Honor is being patriotic to my country.

Honor is being friendly to people.

Honor is being loyal to friends.

Honor is having self-respect.

Honor is respect towards your elders.

Honor is being a good sport.

By Marc McGuire ’19

By Eli Korngiebel ’19

Grandparents’ Day:

A Biennial, TimeHonored Tradition One of Brunswick’s most favorite days at the Pre-K and Lower Schools is Grandparents’, or Special Friend’s, Day. An event typically scheduled the day after Arts Night in mid-May, grandparents are invited to spend a portion of the morning visiting their grandsons’ classrooms and delight in all that the boys are learning.

“Grandparents’ Day is a wonderful time for our students to share their beloved School,” said Katie Signer, Head of Lower School. “In addition to celebrating all that the boys are accomplishing, in their typical loving way, the grandparents make the teachers feel extra special as well.”

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B e y o n d th e C l a s s r o o m

Looking for a New Stand-In Standing Bear has seen his day. After decades of being carbon copied, mimeographed, Xeroxed, scanned, reduced, enlarged, photocopied and PhotoShopped, his mass of pixels are a little rough around the edges (see left). In a poll conducted with students, faculty, parents, and alums, it’s paws-up that we update the Bear so that he is less paunchy, sad, smeary, and puerile. (We are also trying to figure out what is happening with his left leg. Or is that an arm?)

As Brunswick is soon upon its 110th anniversary, now is a good time to re-energize our logo. This fall, we look forward to unveiling a design that, in addition to being our own original identity, will reflect the pride and distinction of our beloved School.

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Middle Schoolers Drop It All for the Read-a-Thon As a kickoff for the 3rd annual month-long read-a-thon, the Middle Schoolers dropped everything when they spent their regular assembly time on free reading as a fund-raiser for Room to Read. The organization works with rural communities around the world in an effort to change the lives of children by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

On Brunswick’s Edwards Campus, all was quiet when students and teachers were required to bring in their favorite book or magazine and read for the half-hour period … no grading papers, no doing homework, no ifs ands or buts … just plain read for pleasure.

The Lower School Puzzler For the past six years, 4th grade students have looked forward each May to working with Joan Michie, Lower School librarian and renowned storyteller, to complete puzzles that represent the culmination of the work they have accomplished.

Different puzzles represent the student’s curriculum, “Earth From Space,” “Landmarks From the World,” “A Complete Map of the World,” and “Folk and Fairy Tale.”

“The Puzzler is both a fun and challenging activity,” said Mrs. Michie. “It’s one of the highlight end-of-Lower-School experiences the boys have before graduating to Middle School.”

Benjy Levy ’11 Brings Message of CHAMPS Benjy Levy ’11 has grown up with and loved dogs his entire life. As president of the after-school community service club, CHAMPS (Children Against Mines Program), Benjy was eager for classmates to learn more about the powerful services trained dogs can do to sniff out landmines in war-torn villages around the world. At an Upper School assembly, CHAMPS representative Colonel Perry Baltimore spoke to the students about how every half hour, someone falls victim to a landmine.

“Ninety percent of the victims are innocent civilians, one-third of whom are children, who lose limbs, eyesight or their life,” he said.

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Betsy Parkinson, also of CHAMPS, set up a mock minefield onstage at Baker Theater and demonstrated how Utsi, a Belgian Malinois, was trained to sniff it out. The highly trained dog, who served more than five years in Africa, has since retired from active mine detection and now serves as the official CHAMPS Canine Ambassador.

“It costs a great deal of money to train CHAMPS dogs for their duties to detect landmines,” said Benjy. His brother David, who graduated from Brunswick in 2008, founded the CHAMPS Club. “Our fundraising efforts are a way to help alleviate the

fear people have of stepping on active landmines when they leave their homes or when kids ride their bicycles.

Supporting CHAMPS is a way we can help save innocent lives.”

Benjy Levy with Utsi, canine ambassador for CHAMPS

B e y o n d th e C l a s s r o o m

Middle School Squash Team Makes Boys Div I Squash Coaches Joe Falco (left) and Steve Polikoff (right) with their winning team at the 2011 U.S. Middle School Squash Championships at Yale University.

Brunswick’s team won the Boys Division I Champions banner, defeating Haverford of Pennsylvania for the second year in a row, 3–2. Tournament champions include (front, left to right): Charlie Cassoli ’15, Henry Sall ’15, Connor Henderson ’15, Henry Parkhurst ’16, James Dudzik ’15, Ryan Cloobeck ’15; (back row, left to right): John Fitzgerald ’15, Boden Polikoff ’16, Chris Peisch ’16, David Yacobucci ’16, Jarett Odrich ’15, Yousef Hindy ’15.

BioBus Rolls Onto King Street Campus BioBus, a mobile science laboratory, made a 2-day stop at Brunswick’s Lower and Middle Schools in April to introduce students to “Energy and Climate Change” and “Biological Building Blocks.” Each year, the bus brings interactive science education to more than 10,000 students across the nation. Classes, taught by doctoral-level scientists, are specifically designed to align with their host school’s current grade curriculum.

Ben Dubin-Thaler founded BioBus in 2007 only weeks after he presented his Ph.D. thesis on how cells move. Turning down a number of job offers, Dr. Ben pursued his dream of building a vehicle that brings hands-on science education to young students. After purchasing a 1974 San Francisco transit bus, Dr. Ben created BioBus, a high-tech laboratory on wheels, complete with microscopes, computers, and a miniature classroom.

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Brunswick Alumni B ru n s wi c k M eet s G A f or J oi n t G atheri n g s A ro u n d the Co u n try Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital has become a popular place for Brunswick alums. Our joint gathering with GA at Old Glory B.B.Q: in Georgetown on December 9 turned out to be a fun time with over 20 Brunswick alumni and GA alumnae in attendance.

Chicago Members of the Alumni Office braved the Windy City in January to meet up with BWK and GA alums.

Many thanks to Ronnie Kelley ’94 for hosting at his restaurant, Tavern on Rush. Other Brunswick alums in attendance included Jarrett Shine ’92, The Brothers Schwalm (Dugan ’93 and Mat ’90), Phil Geiger ’00, Michael Gansfuss ’96, and Michael Zarrilli ’99.

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Boston A grand time was had by all at the Boston gathering at Clery’s in March. Special thanks to Jamie Millard ’06 and Tucker Keating ’85 for organizing the event. We look forward to Boston being an annual stop on our Alumni Office.

San Francisco 2 After a long winter in Greenwich, it wasn’t difficult for our Alumni Office to say “yes-s-s” to gathering at Morengo on April 28. In attendance for the fun were more than 30 Brunswick alums and GA alumnae representing classes from 1955–2005. Special thanks to Eben Strousse ’88 for coordinating the event.

Everyone had such a great time that there are already talks about next year’s gathering.

Want to get a group of BWK/GA alums together in your area? Contact Jarrett Shine ’92 in the Alumni Office (203.625.5864 / jshine@brunswickschool.org) and he’ll help to make it happen.

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BRUNSWICK ALUMNI

Ya l e - Pe n n S qua s h Brunswick alumni and former squash teammates meet again during a Yale-Penn team match. (left to right) James Clark ’07 and Will Brown ’07 play for Penn, Robby Berner ’07 (Yale), John Dudzik ’10 (Penn), and Sam Haig ’09 (Yale).

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1. Chicago: Ronnie Kelley ’94, Jarrett Shine ’92, Dugan Schwalm ’93, Mat Schwalm ’90, Phil Geiger ’00, Michael Gansfuss ’96, Mike Zarrilli ’99 2. San Francisco: Jon Ryckman ’88, Holt Condon ’96, Eben Strousse ’88, J. P. Scanlan ’95, Roberto Santo Domingo ’96, Andy Lynch ’88, Henry Alker ’55, Tucker McKee ’00 3. washington, dc: Rafe Pomerance ’64 & Jarrett Shine ’92 4. washington, dc: Christina Fossel (GA’06), Jeff Long ’01, Christina Fox (GA ’05), Harry Mallory ’05 5. Boston: Front: Jay Helmer ’00, Carrie Peterson (GA ’06), Kaitlin Sennatt (GA ’06); Back: Will Dyke ’06, Jaime Tyre Kim (GA ’94), Justin McClellan ’98, Lauren Broadhurst (GA ’99), Molly Jennings (GA ’00), Laura Betz (GA ’99), Jamie Millard ’06 5

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BRUNSWICK ALUMNI

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1 s t A n n ua l Spri n g A lu m n i W ee k e n d The 1st Annual Spring Alumni Weekend was a great success despite the wind and rain (it seems that Mother Nature always kicks in during ’Wick Alumni events). The weekend started off with roundtable discussions at the Upper School, which were well attended by the boys. Discussion group topics included government; public service and entertainment; screenwriting and directing.

On Saturday, the 1st Annual Ol’ Timers Softball Game took place and had 18 participating alumni players showing off their impressive athletic talents. The Alumni Association also hosted a tailgate tent party at the lacrosse game. Given the 60 mph winds and sideways rain, there was limited attendance but great fun for those game and hearty.

Note your calendar for the 2nd Annual Spring Alumni Weekend, which takes place May 4–6, 2012. For more information on who/ what/where, please contact Jarrett Shine jshine@brunswickschool.org or Libby Edwards ledwards@brunswickschool.org.

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1. Max Wasilko ’91, Paul Gojkovich ’01, Chris Day ’81 2. Peter Carlson ’76 and Bill Durkin ’72 3. Alston Frasier, fiancé of Tony Calabrese ’97, Shahryar Oveissi ’98 4. Amy Pagnani (GA ’81), Bill Douwes (former ’Wick history teacher ’78–’85), Barend Van der Vorm ’81, Rick Pagnani ’81.

5. Seth Potter (Upper School theater/English teacher), Rob Profusek ’98, and Jarrett Shine ’92 6. John Booth (Chair of History Department and Upper School history teacher), Jeff Long ’01, David Thomas ’89, John Van Atta (Oaklawn Chair in American History, Master Teacher, Upper School history teacher) 7. ’Ol Timer Softball Game

More than a century of Preparing Boys for Life:

Graduation 2011 A

sunny day in May reflected the festive setting of Brunswick School’s Class of 2011 commencement on King Street. After the 80 esteemed seniors made their way to the front bleachers, the Men of Brunswick a cappella group sang the national anthem in a perfect pitch that hallowed the occasion.

“Amidst our active lives and rushed schedules, we are gathered here, at this moment, to pause and reflect,” said the Reverend Thomas L. Nins, assistant director of diversity, during the invocation. “Hard work, dedication, and sacrifice have made this day possible. The Class of 2011 has earned this moment in time.”

By Bonni Brodnick Photography by Diane Briggs and Robert Norman

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“Let Brunswick’s motto—Courage, Honor, Truth—be overshadowed only by faith, hope and love,” he concluded.

“We are here this afternoon to celebrate you and all you have achieved while with us,” said Headmaster Tom Philip during his introduction to the proceedings. “Many of these seniors have been a part of our community for almost as long as they can remember. A number of them have been with us since Pre-K … all of 14 years: Joseph William Doyle, William Trant Curry, Daniel Power Fraser, Peter Jameson Harris, James Ross Kirchen,

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Benjamin Solomon Levy, Brian Dudley Macfarlane, Samuel Ian MacFarlane, and Nicholas Joseph Skelsey.

“Using them as an example means, for those 9 boys at least, that there have literally been no years of their formal schooling spent anywhere else and, all but approximately five years of their lives have been spent as a Brunswick student,” he continued. “In fact, if each one of them has attended every day of school at Brunswick since Pre-K (not counting weekends), they will have each spent about 2,240 days, or about 18,000 hours (for most of them, about one third of their waking hours) in our care.

“There will almost certainly not be another academic institution at which they will ever spend so much time. In fact, there may not be another institution period at which they will be for so long. When you start your careers, statistically, most of you will not stay at one company that long. And when you settle down most of you won’t even live in the same house for that long.

“Yet, whether you have been here for 14 years or three years, if I think about institutions that will impact your life, it is hard to think there is another besides Brunswick that has been so much a part of your upbringing and at such a critically

“Our school has been able formative stage. Our school has been able to challenge the opportunity to help make you the men that you will become.

“On behalf of this entire community,” Mr. Philip concluded, “allow me to thank the Class of 2011 most sincerely for all the credit you have brought to yourselves and to Brunswick School during your time with us. Thank you, gentlemen, and well done.”

He also gave special thanks to the members of Greenwich Academy attending graduation, as well as acknowledging Head of School Molly King and Head of Upper School Tom Sullivan for their care and support to the Class of 2011.

to challenge the opportunity

Spencer Dahl, the Class of 2011 to help make you the men that Valedictorian, was commended for you will become.” having the highest accumulative grade —Headmaster Tom Philip average, as well as being an accomplished musician and

“I am humbled to stand here before talented athlete. you,” Spencer said as he thanked his teach “Above all, we honor him for his dogged ers for their guidance and his friends “… pursuit of excellence. He is likely as powerful for the memorable times together. I also an intellect as you will ever encounter,” said want to thank my family for the love and Mr. Philip. Spencer will attend Duke School support you have shown me throughout of Engineering in the fall. my high school years.”

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“One of our greatest of China, Katrina, the tsunami and earthquake in Japan the rearview mirror and see made his class feel particularly bonded. opportunities lost.”

“During those challenging times, —James Yacobucci III we depended on one another for comfort,” James said.

Spencer introduced James Yacobucci “Every day we should discover someIII, who was elected by students and faculty thing new and help those in need,” he to be the “Ivy” speaker. James spoke about continued. “One of our greatest challenges how such major events as the passing of is to never look in the rearview mirror and Brunswick’s beloved teacher/mentor/coach see opportunities lost.”

Robert L. Cosby, September 11th, the rise

challenges is to never look in

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Fanning M. Hearon III, chairman of Brunswick Foreign Language Department and Upper School Spanish teacher, was selected to be Faculty Speaker. He will be dearly missed next year when he leaves Brunswick to become dean of academic affairs at Vermont Academy.

In a speech that was both humorous and profound, he had one simple message: Institutions forge identities that inspire.

“You are at a critical stage of your identity,” Mr. Hearon said. “No one will badger you to finish your homework or to be someplace on time. It is officially up to you now. View this

commencement day as a beginning, not an end. Make truth and honor a part of your daily identity. Be as true a gentleman as Mr. Cosby was. Remember that with your privilege comes true responsibility, so continue to polish your identity and don’t forget the most important institution of all, your family.”

As students’ names were called off to receive their diplomas, it was particularly heartwarming when four faculty members handed the degree to their graduating sons: Christopher Forester (Middle School math teacher) to Michael; Power Fraser (Assistant Director of Athletics) to Daniel;

Mike Harris (Upper School math teacher) to Peter, and Robert Taylor (Upper School history teacher) to Daniel.

At the conclusion of commencement, bagpipers Tom Johnston and William Sullivan of the Firefighters Emerald Society of Westchester escorted Brunswick’s newest alumni to the campus lawn to celebrate with family.

The brief polling of graduates and one proud grandmother summed up the day:

“It’s bittersweet to move on,” added Thomas Wilson. “While I’m looking forward to next steps, I’ll also miss Brunswick and all is has to offer.”

“I am so proud,” said Irmgard Ruppel, 90-year-old grandmother of Nicholas Ruppel. “My grandson loves to study so Brunswick was the perfect school for him.”

“One of the unique things about Brunswick is the bond with teachers,” said Conrad Oberbeck. “The community and sense of home that the faculty and school have provided is awesome, and even though we’re graduating, there is the feeling that we can always come back to the hallways of Brunswick.” j

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Senior awards 2011 Everett English Award....................... Nikhil Menezes

Social Science Award.............................. Spencer Dahl

R. Scott Tucker Senior Essay Prize. . ... Nicholas Brown

Shields Math Award............................. Andrew Grasso

Acting/Theater......................................... Benjamin Prout

Gus Conrades ’86 Athletic Plaques ........................................ Ernest Rosato, Matthew Henkel, Toshi Terai

Simpson Choral Music Award.............. Allen Louis Randolph Band Music Award........... Spencer Dahl Visual Arts Award............................ Christopher Kenny

Senior Classics Award............................ Joseph Doyle

Cum Laude Society Certificates ....................................... Joseph Doyle, David Jaramillo, Jared Nowell (Seniors Andrew McMahon, Nikhil Menezes, Brendon Hardin, Ryan Chen, Spencer Dahl, Nicholas Brown, Andrew Grasso, Kevin Scanlan, Kyle Wolstencroft, and Luca Knupfer were inducted into the Cum Laude Society in February 2010.)

Greenwich Historical Society Prize ............................................................................. Kyle Wolstencroft

2011 Yearbook Dedication. . .................. Doug Burdett, Upper School English teacher and Director of College Guidance

Jacques Bouffier Foreign Language Award .............................................................................. Jean-Paul Bowgen

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American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Science Award......................... Andrew Grasso

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Closing ceremony awards 2011 Brunswick School proudly recognized the following award recipients at the Closing Ceremony that marked the conclusion of the 2010–2011 school year and the beginning of summer vacation.

Middle School Awards

Upper School Awards

Eleanor G. Lindberg Award. . ............. David Sorbaro Awarded annually to a fifth grader of great promise, proven character, and good nature who has demonstrated courage when tested, has brought honor to family and school, and has always spoken and cherished the truth.

Cum Laude............................ Brendan Bozorgmir, Joseph Doyle, Peter Gatto, David Jaramillo, Carter Johnson, Jared Nowell, Rick Salame, Kip Werner (Ryan Chen, Brendon Hardin, Nikhil Menezes, Kyle Wolstencroft and Mac Singer were inducted mid-year into the Cum Laude Society.)

Virginia I. Peterson Award..................... Jack Kulesh Awarded annually to a sixth grader for outstanding scholarship, citizenship, and sportsmanship.

Brunswick Alumni Award.. .................. Henry Hobbs Awarded annually to the freshman who best represents, in sportsmanship and character, the Brunswick tradition.

The Seventh Grade Prize. . ..................... Nelson Vargas Awarded annually to a seventh grader for exemplifying the highest qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service to the community.

Princeton Alumni Award....................... William Fein Awarded to the sophomore of recognized character who has combined outstanding academic ability with achievement in other fields during the past year.

Eighth Grade Awards

Columbia Book Award . . ................. Thomas Rosenkranz Awarded to an outstanding member of the sophomore class who has demonstrated excellence in the humanities.

Kulukundis Cup............................................ Peter Ciporin Awarded annually to the student who has achieved the highest academic standing in the eighth grade.

Geis Cup................................................................ Billy O’Malley Awarded annually to an eighth grader who is judged by his coaches and teammates to have made an outstanding contribution to the school in athletics because of his ability, enthusiasm, determination, and leadership.

Williamson Trophy..................................... Keith Radler Awarded annually to that student who comes nearest in athletics, scholarship, and character to achieving the ideals expressed in the Brunswick motto, “Courage, Honor, Truth.”

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Oaklawn Award........................... Alexander Coopersmith Awarded to the sophomore who, in the opinion of his teachers and classmates, has contributed significantly to the life and spirit of Brunswick through scholarship, athletics, and service to others.

Yale Alumni Award (11th Grade). . .....Carter Johnson Awarded to that junior who, in the opinion of Brunswick, has been most aware of the rights and feelings of others, and has demonstrated his concern for those around him.

Williams Book Award (11th Grade).. .... Rick Salame Awarded to a junior in the top 5 percent of his class who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.

Harvard Book Prize (11th Grade)........... Mac Singer Awarded to that junior who combines excellence in scholarship with achievement in other fields.

Service Awards

Brown Book Award (11th Grade).....Carter Johnson Awarded to that junior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of literature and composition.

Grade 10............................................... Alexander Coopersmith

Modern Language Awards

Varsity Athletic Plaques

Jacques Bouffier French Foreign Language Prize. . .......................... Kip Werner

Seniors.. .....................Ernest Rosato, Matthew Henkel, Toshi Terai

William B. Dick Latin Prize...................... Mac Singer

Grade 11.......................................................... David Fitzpatrick

Grade 9.. .................................................... Ashish Ramachandran

Juniors.. ....................................... Cooper Briggs, Jake Matthews, Devin Mehra, William Murphy, Darrick Ridenhour, Donqutae Robinson, Bradley Seaton, Dylan Troy

Arabic Award.................................................... Peter Gatto Sophomores.................................... Chris Hart, Peter Khoury Chinese Award.......................................... David Fitzpatrick Italian Award. . .......................................... Cameron Biondi

Faculty Awards

Spanish Award........................................... Cameron Biondi

John F. Otto Faculty Award. . ................. Terry Boyd Dedicated to those faculty members with the courage to pursue their individual vision with honesty and integrity so as to earn the appreciation of their critics and the loyalty of their peers.

Mathematics Award Kenneth Merritt Mathematics Award (9th grade)..................................... Jackson Reynolds

Science Awards

Sheila Pultz Service to Brunswick Award. . ..................................... Bess Hubbard Dedicated by the Class of ’54 in honor of those members of the administration or staff who, over the years, have given loyally and unselfishly of their time and talents toward the betterment of Brunswick.

Rensselaer Award (11th grade).............. Peter Gatto Fairfield County Biology Prize (10th grade)..................... Henry Dornier, Paul Dornier

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senior awards of distinction At the 109th Brunswick School commencement, the following seniors received Awards of Distinction:

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Kulukundis Cup for highest academic standing for the year Spencer Dahl

Brunswick Community Service Award for the most outstanding record of community service Alejandro Ceballos

Jenkins Athletic Award to that senior who, true to the ideals of the school, has been judged by the coaches to have made an outstanding contribution to the school in athletics as demonstrated by his ability, enthusiasm, determination, and leadership Toshi Terai

Thomas A. Altman Prize to that senior who, in his years at Brunswick, has maintained positive personal relationships in school, in sports, and in community service: Will Preziosi

Robert L. Cosby Award to that senior who, through his good nature, optimism, thoughtfulness, and character, has done the most to uplift the spirits of those around him and has, over the course of his extended tenure at the School, come closest to the embodiment of those unique characteristics which serve to define the namesake of this award Peter Harris

Faculty Citations given to those deserving seniors who have brought credit to the School or the community by their efforts Allen Louis

Faculty Citation Andrew Grasso

Faculty Citation Thomas Wilson

Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

BPA (Brunswick Parents’ Association) Prize to the senior who has attended Brunswick for at least three years and whose improvement in scholarship and development of fine character make him worthy of citation: Haley Christie

Senior Breakfast 2011 Headmaster’s Trophy to that senior who, because of his dependability, integrity, and character, has made an outstanding contribution to his class and to Brunswick School David Jaramillo

The dining hall at Maher Avenue was festooned with brown and gold balloons for Senior Breakfast, which falls the morning of prom and the day before graduation. The annual event, hosted by the Alumni Office, is a way to celebrate the Class and welcome them into the Brunswick Alumni Association. This year’s speakers included fellow alumni Jarrett Shine ’92 (Associate Director of Admissions and Alumni Affairs), Chris Wirth ’97, Ian ’93 and Shep Murray ’89 who spoke about the importance of staying connected and supportive of our School in days hereafter.

The Breakfast wrapped up with a special DVD slideshow that spanned the years of the grads’ career at ’Wick. Hats off to Brunswick moms Joan Beth Brown and Shelby Saer for all of their work in putting together a presentation down Memory Lane that simultaneously tapped emotions of sentimentality, pride, humor … and the occasional comment, “No way!”

As a Senior Breakfast keepsake, each of the boys received a copy of the slideshow, along with a tie from vineyard vines®, thanks to the generosity of the Murray brothers.

The new 2011 Class Agents are Brendon Hardin, David Jaramillo, Sammy MacFarlane, Sam Waters and James Yacobucci.

Best wishes to the Class of 2011! Brunswick Alumni Office looks forward to hearing from you!

Faculty Citation Sammy MacFarlane Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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class Notes Compiled by Libby Edwards & Leslie Lopez

“I found this old picture of the football team from 1947–48. Since I was too skinny to play, I was team manager (top left). While I remember all the faces, the names I remember are 42 Tony Van Vorhees, 25 Kurt Brunhuber, 29 Dick Hall, 36 Ned Seldon, 32 Al Morano, 1 Charlie Pettingill, and 22 Shock Van Steenberg. (Submitted by Mint Dole, Class of ’50) *

1962

1980

Scott Bartlett writes that he has lived in Eugene, Ore., since 1965, when he transferred to his alma mater, University of Oregon. “I remember my Brunswick years, classmates, and teachers, with great fondness.” Scott welcomes emails at wascobar@efn.org.

Jonathan Lewis writes that he has been married for 25 years to Ellen, his girlfriend from his college days at Lehigh University. They have a daughter, Deborah (22 years old), who recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and is currently working at Macy’s in New York City in their executive training program in product development. Their son Michael is a sophomore at Washington University and is studying systems engineering.

Jonathan and Ellen are currently moving their residency to Jacksonville, Fla., as he has been promoted to executive vice

president and president of the Mortgage Division of Atlantic Coast Bank.

1981| 30th reunion Neil Burger directed the recent blockbuster movie, Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. Neil first gained attention in 2002 for his debut film, the pseudo-documentary, Interview with the Assassin. In 2006, The Illusionist, a period drama, put Neil on the map in Hollywood as a director to keep an eye on. The Lucky Ones, an American dramedy, was released in 2008.

* Holding on to History: Do you know the other alumni in this photo? If so, please contact Libby at ledwards@brunswickschool.org.

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CLASS NOTES

Rick Ford ’75, in the passenger seat, recently completed acting in the hit comedy, The 39 Steps, at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island.Visit at rickfordactor.com.

(Left to right): Director Neil Burger ’81 reviews a scene with star Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper on the set of Relativity Media’s LIMITLESS. Photo Credit: John Baer © 2011 Dark Fields Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

(Left to right): Director Neil Burger ’81 reviews a scene with star Bradley Cooper on the set of Relativity Media’s LIMITLESS. Photo Credit: John Baer © 2011 Dark Fields Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

looking back

Many thanks to Mint Dole ’50 for submitting this archival photo.

“This photo, taken of me outside of my Lower School classroom, was used for many years on Brunswick brochures and hung in successive Headmaster’s offices.

In 1939, my father purchased Brunswick’s first Headmaster’s house across the football field at 113 Patterson Avenue. The field was like a playground for me and my good friend and classmate, Charlie Pettingill, who also lived down from School on Maher Ave.”

We also extend our gratitude to Bill Schneider ’72 for bequeathing to us his athletic awards for 8th grade football, 9th grade football and basketball, as well as the accompanying brown wool Brunswick “B”.

Brunswick School Development Office seeks to preserve our magnificent 109-year history.We invite you to share archival photos and memorabilia.

Please contact Libby Edwards, Alumni Relations and Special Events Coordinator, at 203.625.5864 or ledwards@brunswickschool.org.

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CLASS NOTES

From the Class Notes Editors: We extend our apologies to Greg Hartch ’88 and his family for the misprint in Class Notes (winter 2010).

Above is photo of Greg and his wife, Christa, with their children Annabelle, Caroline, and Christian visiting Dresden, Germany.

Thomas Odelfelt ’88 won his second Sports Emmy for Outstanding Edited Sports Special.

Patrick Connors ’92 and Clare Watson (from Leeds, England) on their wedding day in London.

Celebrating the 35th birthday of Frank Peluso ’94 in Los Angeles.

Left to right: Jamie Muhlfed ’94, holding his son, Thomas Edward, born June 24, 2010; Frank, holding Frank Nicholas III, born June 22, 2010, and Jamie’s daughter, Eloise Audrey (2½).

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Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

Forrest Schwalm (3), holding baby sister Addison, born January 5—children of Matt Schwalm ’90 and his wife, Samantha.

The proud father writes that, “Addison was born on my birthday.”

Ella Belmont Andrea, daughter of Jeff Andrea ’94 and his wife, Michelle, was born March 15. Ella’s middle name was Jeff’s grandmother’s maiden name. The Belmont family has been in Greenwich since the 1870s.

Left: James Ritman ’94 holding his son, Pierce (1½), and daughter, Charlotte, born on April 9. Right: Jeff Andrea ’94 holding daughter, Ella Belmont, born on March 15.

CLASS NOTES

Brian Coughlin ’94 and his wife, Paola, announce the birth of their daughter, Fiona Smith, on February 21, 2011. Their son, Thomas, will be a ’Wick Kindergartner in the fall. Brian is a 3rd grade teacher at the Lower School.

1988 At the 32nd Annual Sports Emmy Awards, held in New York City on May 2, Thomas Odelfelt, director of production at HBO Sports, won his second sports Emmy for Outstanding Edited Specials category for his role on “24/7 Penguins-Capital: Road to the NHL Winter Classic.” He co-produced the five-episode series that aired on HBO from December 2010 to January 2011.

This was Thomas’ second Emmy, the first award being a year ago for “24/7 Mayweather-Marquez.”

1992 Patrick Connors married Clare Watson on September 11, 2010, in Mayfair, London. The couple resides in England.

Tucker John, born on October 27, 2010, with his big brother, Philip, children of Gregory Skidmore ’95 and his wife, Liz.

Emily van Velsor, born on February 25 with big brother, Zachary, children of Christopher Wirth ’97 and his wife, Melissa.

Pat’s brother, Ryan ’96, served as his best man. After Brunswick, Patrick attended the University of Notre Dame and then received his MBA from the University of Chicago. He is currently a director with Deutsche Bank in London.

1998 Edmund Sherman participated in the 2010 Men’s Outdoor Lacrosse World Championship in Manchester, UK, representing the French National Team.

“Thanks, naturally, to the solid basics I learned from being a Brunswick Bruin.”

Edmund has spent the past five years in e-Commerce with a Paris-based company, PIXmania Group, Europe’s version of Best Buy, and is currently establishing a company based in the Champagne region. For more information, contact Edmund at carledmund@gmail.com.

1999

Brad Schwalm ’98 and his wife, Caroline, welcome the birth of their son, George Clearly, on December 11, 2010.

Brett Harriss tied the knot with Monica Valente on September 4, 2010, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Brunswick classmates attending the celebration were, Kip Graham, Deakin Bell, Sam Hall, and brother Peter Harriss ’03.

The newlyweds reside in New York City.

After Brunswick, Brett received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia University and Columbia Business School. He is an analyst with Gabelli Funds in Rye, N.Y.

REUNION 2011 ALERT! Celebrate the years since graduation at Homecoming Weekend on Friday, October 14 (11th Annual Alumni Golf Outing and 2nd Annual Alumni Association Party), and Saturday, October 15 (Homecoming festivities).

Reunion year for classes ending in 6 and 1.

For more information, contact Libby Edwards at ledwards@brunswickschool.org or 800.546.9425 Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

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CLASS NOTES

Brett Harriss ’99 wed Monica Valente on September 4, 2010. Front row, second from the right: best man, brother, Peter Harriss ’03.

Back row, right: classmate, Sam Hall ’99.

Joe Murphy ’02 married Nikki Dudley in Geneva, N.Y., on February 12. Joe’s groomsmen were Brunswick classmates Ruben Galarza, Antonio Saintiague, Michael Cuneo, and Matt Sullivan, with Duncan Edwards III serving as best man.

Captain Nathan Raymond (United States Military Academy, Year Group 2003) has served two tours in Iraq with two Bronze Stars. At the recommendation of General Petraeus, he is one of five infantry officers chosen for the Joint Chiefs Internship Program and is now the Pakistan desk officer in the office of the assistant secretary of defense for the Afghanistan Pakistan border, and Department of Defense liaison to the Department of State for the special representative for Afghanistan Pakistan Relations. Nate is currently in Asia meeting the military commands in Australia, Thailand and South Korea. [From the Class Notes Editors: We sincerely apologize for Nate’s omission from the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award story (Times of Brunswick winter 2011, page 56).]

2001| 10th reunion At the wedding of Matt MacDonald ’02 to Leah Rumely, Brunswick classmates (all ’02 unless noted)/groomsmen were (left to right): Jamie Lee, David Gerkin, Jamie Coffin, Will MacDonald ’01, Matt Wiggins, Pat Spellane, Billy Chapman ’09 (cousin), Dave Bradley, and Mark Eisenacher.

Jeff Long has joined the office of Senator Richard Blumenthal in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide handling a variety of policy and economic development issues.

This summer Jeff will join several other Brunswick classmates and when he heads over to Sweden to visit Per Barre.

2002 Big sister Ella Heide Fessenden welcomes baby brother, Aidan, born March 1, to the family of Jamie Fessenden and his wife, Liz. Jamie is the graphic arts teacher at Brunswick Upper School.

Seth Potter and his wife, Lindsey, celebrated the birth of Lily Jane, on February 10, 2011.

Lily Jane is named after her great and greatgreat-grandmothers. Seth is an Upper School theater and English teacher.

Matt MacDonald married Leah Rumely on September 18, 2010. In addition to his wedding party (see photo), Ryan Purcell shared in the celebration.

REUNION 2011 ALERT! Celebrate the years since graduation at Homecoming Weekend on Friday, October 14 (11th Annual Alumni Golf Outing and 2nd Annual Alumni Association Party), and Saturday, October 15 (Homecoming festivities).

Reunion year for classes ending in 6 and 1.

For more information, contact Libby Edwards at ledwards@brunswickschool.org or 800.546.9425 80

Times of Brunswick | Summer 2011

CLASS NOTES

Following a dinner in San Francisco with Jarrett Shine ’92 and Todd Pollack ’93, Matt Wiggins wrote to express how much he appreciated the “personal touch from Brunswick—the telling of stories in person rather than being Facebooked, Tweeted or emailed.”

At dinner, they talked about the “glory days” of Brunswick, when “men were men and the sports locker rooms smelled like athletic supporters. The only saving grace was Coach Sam’s pipe masking it. … I caught the ‘Transition Years’ as sports moved from Everett Field to King Street. We were given locker rooms that many college teams would envy. The only thing missing was Coach Sam’s pipe.” With Matt’s donation to this year’s Alumni Annual Fund, he asked that part of his donation be used for Coach Sam. “I’d like to make sure younger generations don’t miss out on the smell of his pipe and these stories.”

Matt is still living in Santa Monica, Calif., where he has established a beachhead for Brunswick grads of all ages. His couch is always open for anyone who lives

by Courage, Honor, Truth.

After working in New York City at Lehman Brothers, William P. Sirignano II joined Satellite Asset Management. In 2010, he affiliated with Karsch Capital Management as part of the start-up of their distressed credit platform. “I still try to play golf as often as possible, albeit with a much more erratic style.”

Matthew J. Slaine graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business in May 2011 with his master’s degree specializing in finance and strategy. After traveling, Matt will join Goldman Sachs.

Digital Photos We love pictures, and we like you to look good.

Here are some tips for sending us digital photos that will look fantastic in print: • Set the photo size to 4 x 6 inches or larger, in 300 dpi.

• Set your digital camera to the best photo setting.

• Save files as JPG or TIF. • Identify everyone left to right in the photo and provide a caption.

• Email photos as attachments to Libby Edwards at ledwards@brunswickschool.org.

If you’d rather send a traditional print (made from a negative), we love them, too, but please send them on glossy paper. Matte prints and prints from digital photos do not scan well. We cannot reproduce photos from photocopies, magazines, or newsprint. Mail prints to:

Libby Edwards

Brunswick School

Alumni Office

100 Maher Avenue • Greenwich, CT 06830

2005 Tim Edwards, former co-captain of the most successful basketball team in Middlebury history, recently signed an agreement to play for SB DJK Rosenheim Basketball Club in Rosenheim, Germany.

Rosenheim competes in Germany’s Regionaliga 2. Tim was known as “one of the best all-around players in Middlebury’s history.”

Faculty Notes Peter J. Kashatus, former faculty member of Brunswick, will retire from teaching in June 2011 after 43 years, the last eight of which have been in North Carolina. Pete was a valued Brunswick teacher, mentor and coach for over 22 years. He was a devoted member of the Brunswick community from September

1981 until June 2003 when he and his wife, Ann, moved to North Carolina.

Pete’s last position at Brunswick was director of technology and head football coach.

Pete is the proud father of Peter ’89 and David ’92.

Bob Benjamin, Upper School English teacher, sends greetings from Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he is Chief of Mobility for the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan. In a correspondence to Brunswick faculty and staff, he wrote: “Arrived here last night after a flight on a C-17 from Manas, Kyrgystan. We spent about 36 hours in a transit camp there after our 22-hour flight from the States. I’m part of our early arrival group, traveling ahead of the rest of the unit in order to establish relationships and lay some groundwork before the rest of the unit arrives in about ten days.

“I’ve been meeting with my counterpart and learning the ropes as best I can.

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CLASS NOTES

Living conditions aren’t too bad—I’m sharing a room with two other Lieutenant Colonels in a well-built structure that has decent bunks, air conditioning and electricity (even a fridge), and indoor plumbing and shower down the hall. Air quality is pretty nasty because of all of the dust; daily temperature is about 105, but it cools down to the high 80s at night.

Otherwise just trying to settle in.”

To correspond with Bob, his address is:

Bob Benjamin 4th ESC Kandahar, Afghanistan APO AE 09355

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Benjamin, Chief, SPO Mobility, Joint Sustainment Command in Afghanistan.

in memoriam Brunswick and Greenwich Academy (GA) mourn the recent passing of Dr. Jane Berman on March 8. Jane joined the faculty at GA in 1981, taught European history and served as a student advisor in the Upper School. In 2002 she became chair of the history department. A cherished member of the GA community for 30 years, Jane was known as the “Berminator.” She was an astute academic leader, prodigious lifelong learner, dear friend, devoted teacher and advisor to generations of GA and Brunswick School students. Jane graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., and earned her Ph.D. in women’s history from SUNY Buffalo. She is survived by her husband, Don, daughter Carrie (GA’ 98) and son Eric ’07.

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Edward Albert Daly ’43 passed away on December 11, 2010, at Greenwich Hospital after a brief illness. He was 84 years old. Ned started his career in New York at SSC&B and went on to represent many publications including Life and Smithsonian magazines. He spent his career in advertising and as a marketing executive. After Brunswick, Ned attended Kent School and Yale University and served with the 1st Marine Corps Division in Tienshan, China, in World War II. Humphrey Denton Darrah Jr., a lifelong resident of Greenwich, died at his home on March 29. He attended Brunswick and Edgewood High School, where he played on the school basketball

and baseball teams. He later pursued a degree in physical education at Arnold College. Humphrey spent his career working in the manufacturing and warehousing industries until his retirement in the 1980s.

Roger Martin Dell ’81, of Roseville, Calif., who grew up in Greenwich, died on January 17 following a heart attack during his regular early morning bike ride. He was 47. After attending Brunswick, Roger attended Bucknell University and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After college, he worked as a mechanical engineer and later as a project analyst with the Resource Recovery Systems division of Combustion Engineering, Inc., in

CLASS NOTES

in memoriam cont’d Windsor, Conn. In 1989, Roger joined GE Capital Corporation in Conn., in the Structured Finance Group. In 1992, he relocated to Singapore to establish GE Capital Singapore. In 1996, he relocated to Jakarta to help form GE Capital’s Equity Capital Group in Southeast Asia. After his family had to be evacuated from Jakarta during the riots of 1998, Roger opted to relocate once again to Singapore. While there, he joined Citibank as co-head of business development for the Global Banking Division. In 2000, Roger formed his own company, Silver Refined Pte. Ltd., and provided services to startup companies in Singapore. He later returned to the U.S. and settled with his family in the city of Roseville, Calif. Roger’s first job in the area was as chief operating officer and director of finance for CLC Inc. of Granite Bay, Calif. He was a member of Reformation Fellowship, a congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where he had spent the past year studying to become a deacon. In addition to his wife, Betsy, and children, Jack and Kay, he is survived by his father, Glen Dell; his sister, Kerry Stratton; his parents-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Langan.

Another loss to the Brunswick and GA community came with the recent passing of Sharon L. Dietzel. Sharon, the former head of the Middle and Upper Schools at GA, died on December 1, 2010, surrounded by her husband, children, brother, and pets. She joined the GA faculty in 1989 and “first retired” as Head of Middle School in 1996 and then as Head of the Upper School, in 2006. Sharon then moved to Cornwall, Conn., with her husband. She loved

every aspect of her life at GA and once commented: “What I thrive on is the voice of intelligent women, no matter their age …Women have voices here and I wanted to be one of them.” The GA community and many others gathered on January 23, to celebrate Sharon’s life.

Head of School Molly King noted “The GA family has been deeply touched by Sharon and the fabric of this school is stronger and more colorful for all she has given.”

Anne “Annie” Greene, former Brunswick administrative assistant, died on February 15. Having recently moved to Newburyport, Mass., from Florida., Anne enjoyed her short but happy return to New England. Born Anne Derrick Holt in 1921, she graduated from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and later moved to New York City. She married William Aldrich Greene in 1942 and had five children. For many years, Anne worked at Greenwich Country Day School as the Middle School administrative secretary and later at Brunswick.

Many students will remember Mrs. Greene as a lovely and kind presence prior to a visit to the Headmaster’s office. Anne is survived by four children, William Jr., Michael, Gina James, and Louisa McCall. Her beloved son, John Holt Greene, predeceased her. Anne also leaves ten loving grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

James B. Knowles died at the age of 96 on April 13, in Manchester, Vt. James was a World War II veteran, Bronze Star recipient. He was a longtime Greenwich resident and more recently of South Londonderry, Conn. He was father of Jim ’61 and John ’68 (deceased).

Steven Gottlieb Lewis ’59 died at home in Port Townsend, Wash., on February 11. He was raised in Greenwich and Old Greenwich. After attending Brunswick, Steven attended Harvard University and the University of Washington.

Matthew Foret Mascotte ’87, a curator, artist, and champion of experimental and avant-garde art, died at his home in Savannah on February 25, at the age of 42. After graduating from Brunswick in 1987, he went on to attend Lake Forest College in Illinois.

Upon graduating, Matt took a position in 1994 with Foote, Cone and Belding in San Francisco. While in San Francisco, he carried his love of new media and emergent technologies to Swirl Integrated Marketing. In 2001, Matt enrolled in the master’s program in film and television at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

One of his first projects was selected for SCAD’s first international multimedia exhibition in Paris. His work has also been praised by Art Papers. In 2003, Matt joined the SCAD Exhibitions Department as an adjunct curator and then went on to serve as founder and president of TentContent, an art production services company in New York.

Matt later returned to SCAD to continue his work in exhibitions. In 2009 Matt was instrumental in producing the Second Line parade for Cao Fei+Map Office “No Lab on Tour” exhibition.

That same year, he played a pivotal role in creating and organizing SCAD’s first deFINE ART. Matt is survived by his wife, Susan; parents, John and Sarah Mascotte; brothers, Leo and Mark, and sister, Mary Marcella Abramowicz.

Summer 2011 | Times of Brunswick

83

Viewpoint: Student Perspective

By Jean-Paul Bowgen ’11

The morning of my first day at Brunswick School, well … what can I say? To be completely honest, I was hesitant to leave my elementary school in Old Greenwich and come across town to join my new kindergarten class, especially since I had just recently completed a year of kindergarten at public school. Nevertheless, I hopped in the back of my mother’s car, and sat staring out the window, reluctant to leave the comfort of the tan leather seat that seemed to be the only comfort I had at that moment.

Naturally, my mother prompted my exit from the back seat with a smile and a hug. I schlepped my backpack up the stairs into my new classroom at the Everett Field campus and looked upon the empty room, filled with everything a kindergartener could ever hope for: Legos, crayons and markers, and

“Always keep your Brunswick memories close to heart.” an entire corner dedicated to various knick-knacks just screaming for a boy to play with. It didn’t take long before I was playing freely with new classmates, as if we had been friends since the very beginning of Pre-K. To my surprise, I adjusted rather quickly to my new school, and began the long journey that

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has now shaped itself into a thirteenyear-Brunswick School career.

Each respective year that has followed those very first days has brought memories that will remain with me forever: images of my second grade classroom with Mrs. Meloni, my eighth grade advisory with Mr. Fischetti, and even my first varsity baseball team during sophomore year. All of these remembrances become a fond and integral part of the home that we call Brunswick School.

As the end of my Bruins career drew closer, I found myself reminiscing over such memories, and no other event made me more thankful than when I visited Lower School in the fall of my senior year.

Mrs. Meloni, who, incidentally, must be the nicest lady in the entire school—if not the world—had just contacted me. She remembered a past Lower School Talent Show in which her former second graders performed various acts that had the crowd (especially the parents) going wild. I was honored when she asked me to return with my good friend and classmate, Allen Louis ’11, to show the current Lower Schoolers our talents: handstands and singing, respectively.

To begin the show, Allen sang beautifully to the gathering of Lower Schoolers. As I sat on the side of the gym surrounded by former teachers, it struck me that senior graduation was quickly

approaching. I wondered: how had thirteen years gone by so quickly.

As we make our way into the unknown in the next couple of months, I urge my fellow classmates—the men that I have grown up with for so many years—to always keep your Brunswick memories close to heart. For many, it has been a home for their entire lives; and for others, our School has been a new experience that has manifested itself just recently.

No matter how long we have spent in the classrooms and on the playing fields that have been so graciously provided to us, we are ready to take the next step with pride, to know that we are Men of Brunswick, and no matter where we land we will always have a home to come back to, friends to reconnect with, and memories that will last a lifetime. j

Brunswick School “Lifers” are students who have been at ’Wick since Pre-K. Left to right: Peter Harris, William Curry, Joseph Doyle, Brian Macfarlane, Samuel MacFarlane, James Kirchen. Daniel Fraser, Benjamin Levy, and Nicholas Skelsey

Class Class of of 2010 2011 Destinations Destinations Abbott, Parker ��������������������������������������������������� Colorado College Baldwin, Preston ����������������������������������������� University of Virginia Barnett, Steven ���������������������������������������������� University of Miami Baulne-Charland, Vincent ���������������������������� University of Ottawa Better, David ��������������������������������������������������������� Yale University Bowgen, Jean-Paul ���������������������������������� Northwestern University Brosens, John ��������������������������������������������Georgetown University Brown, Nicholas ��������������������������������������������� Dartmouth College Brown, Peter ����������������������������������������������������Cornell University Buffone, Christopher ��������������������������������Georgetown University Carroll, Edward..........................University of Southern California Cassidy, James ������������������������������������������������������� Boston College Ceballos, Alejandro ���������������������������������������� Stanford University Chen, Ryan ������������������������������������������������� University of Virginia Chin, Brendan �������������������������������������������������� Colorado College Christie, Haley....................................... University of New Haven Curry, William ���������������������������������������� University of Richmond Dahl, Spencer ������������������������������������������������������ Duke University Daugherty, Tate ������������������������������������������������Colgate University Doyle, Joseph........................................ University of Notre Dame Driscoll, William �����������������������������������������������Hamilton College Dwyer, Thomas ������������������������������������ College of the Holy Cross Errichetti, Michael ��������������������������������� Northwestern University Forester, Michael ����������������������������������������� Vanderbilt University Fraser, Daniel ��������������������������������������������������Gettysburg College Fraser, Duncan �������������������������������������������������Cornell University Gartin, Ryan..............................................Georgetown University Gattinella, Alexander ���������������������������������������Denison University Graf, Alexander.....................................University of Pennsylvania Grasso, Andrew ���������������������������������������������Princeton University Hagerbrant, Ryan.................... Washington University in St. Louis Hardin, Brendon �������������������������������������������������Amherst College Harris, Peter ��������������������������������������������������� Bucknell University Henkel, Matthew ������������������������������������������� Dartmouth College Jaramillo, David ����������������������������������������������Harvard University Jay, Jeffrey ������������������������������������������������������������� Boston College Juan, Alex ���������������������������������������������������������Colgate University Kenny, Christopher ��������������������������������������������� Duke University Kirchen, James............................ Sewanee University of the South Knupfer, Luca ���������������������������������������������� Columbia University

Koorbusch, Connor �������������������������������� University of Richmond Koorbusch, Wes �������������������������������������������������� Duke University Kraus, Jack................................................ St. Lawrence University Kupersmith, Corey ������������������������������������Georgetown University Levy, Benjamin ������������������������������������������������������ Trinity College Lorentzen, Luke ��������������������������������������������� Stanford University Louis, Allen �������������������������������������������������������Suffolk University Lowden, Lee...............................................Wake Forest University Macfarlane, Brian ���������������������������������������� University of Virginia MacFarlane, Samuel ������������������������������������ University of Virginia McGowan, John ������������������������������������� Northwestern University McMahon, Andrew ����������������������������������������������� Yale University Menezes, Nikhil �����������������������������������University of Pennsylvania Morse, Stephan ����������������������������������������������������� Trinity College Nowell, Jared ������������������������������������������������������ Williams College Oberbeck, Conrad ������������������������������������������������� Yale University Preziosi, William �������������������������������������������� Bucknell University Prout, Benjamin ����������������������������������������Georgetown University Queally, Doyle............. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Robbins, Dylan ��������������������������������������������������� Duke University Rosato, Ernest.......................................University of Pennsylvania Ruppel, Nicholas �����������������������������������������������Hamilton College Russell, Leo ������������������������������������������������������Colgate University Saer, Kenneth ������������������������������������������������� Dartmouth College Scanlan, Kevin......................................University of Pennsylvania Semple, Rory............................................University of Edinburgh Shang, Matthew ����������������������������������������������� Cornell University Skelsey, Nicholas ����������������������������������������� University of Virginia Stafford, Robert �����������������������������������������Georgetown University Stolt-Nielsen Holten, Victor �������������������������������� Duke University Taylor, Daniel ���������������������������������������������������� Brown University Terai, Toshi ���������������������������������������������������������������Choate (PG) Tswamuno, Innocent ������������������������������������� Middlebury College Wales, Patrick ������������������������������������������������� Bucknell University Waters, Samuel ���������������������������������������������������� Duke University Weill, Matthew.....................................Texas Christian University Whelan, Edward ����������������������������������������� University of Virginia Wilson, Thomas ������������������������������������������������� Roanoke College Wolstencroft, Kyle ����������������������������������������������Bowdoin College Yacobucci III, James ����������������������������������Georgetown University

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