Vox
The Academy at Charlemont: Everyone Learns, Everyone Plays, Everyone Matters
A newspaper for the community of The Academy at Charlemont Fall/Winter 2012–2013
¡Pura vida!
Jane Grant retires from The Academy after 29 years of joyful service
A teacher's fond farewell to David Perry, page 4
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Meet the new Academy faculty, page 9
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Athletics at The Academy, pages 16-18
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
¡Adiós, Señora! Jane Grant Retires after 29 Years of Service to The Academy By Stephen Arnold ’13
T
wenty-nine years ago, former college Spanish professor Jane Grant joined the staff of the fledgling Academy at Charlemont, with only 40 students and a small group of teachers at her side. She leaves us this year as one of the most highly regarded and longest serving faculty
members in the school’s history. It is difficult to imagine The Academy without Señora Grant, without her warmth and without her signature Mondaymorning greeting to her Spanish students: “¿Que hiciste este fin de semana?” (What did you do this weekend?). Her contributions to the school have been immeasurable, and she made her presence known even to those who did not take Spanish or Russian, whether it is with blood drive announcements, the annual publication of The Grove, the Mexico Trip, or her famous “Señora Cake.” Ever since she was little, Señora knew that she wanted to speak different languages, and
by high school, she had decided to learn Spanish. “I just liked the sound and feel of it,” she says. Eventually, after teaching at several different colleges, Señora Grant quit her job to settle down with her husband and have kids, but she could not escape the joy of teaching. In 1983, Señora turned down an offer at another college to join The Academy at Charlemont, figuring she would stay for a couple of years and then move on. Instead, she ended up staying on because she “really believed in the school’s mission,” and because “it was just a great place to teach.” Another quality of The Academy that was alluring to
Jane Grant and the ’12-’13 Spanish V class assembling “el burrito gigante.” Visit charlemont.org for information on how to order the cookbook of Spanish recipes this class put together with Señora! Photo by Max Kitchell ’12.
Señora was the “certain pioneer spirit” of the school, started just two years earlier in 1981, by former Mohawk Trail Regional High School teachers. One event that reflected this pioneer spirit took place in the earliest years of her Academy career. It was during exam week, and at the time, exams were scheduled for right before Winter Break. Señora, who lives in Hawley, awoke to three feet of snow in her driveway. Naturally, she picked up the phone and dialed the number of the headmaster, founder Eric Grinnell. Before she could say anything, Grinnell answered,“I’m up to my hips in snow, and yes we still have school, and we’ll make it when we make it,” remembers Grant. When she finally did make it to school, most of the students were there as well. Señora ended up staying with the school right up until this year but, as she says “I’ve been here twenty-nine years and I’ve got twenty-nine years’ worth of projects to do at home. I’m not getting any younger," she said as she began frying a ball of ice cream for her Spanish students (“¡Cuidado, caliente!”). “To do a good job, you have to be invested, so other things have to take a back seat.” For Señora this means completing whatever
A rare photo of Señora Grant — finding images of the school's unofficial image-maker was quite the task for the Vox staff! projects she wants before she becomes “physically unable to.” These projects include spending more time with her husband, three children, and four grandchildren. “I just love Señora,” says fellow teacher Stephanie Purington. “She works tirelessly for her kids—all the extra periods, rewards, lunches, picnics, the blood drive, the Mexico trip, The Grove. She makes me feel tired!” Señora has truly left a permanent impression on our community through her dedi-
cated efforts, as evidenced by the dedication of the esteemed Honor Council Award in her name. Until she walks back through the doors of Hobbs Hall for a visit, we at The Academy wish Señora a fond farewell and buena suerte with all her endeavors. While we will miss Señora Grant’s kindness and cheerfully energetic demeanor, her legacy will live on forever in the hearts, minds, and stomachs of our community.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Active Duty Efinger Takes Over as Head of School
I
By Grace Hall ’12
don’t even remember the first thing he said, but it was loud and deep, and he pounded the table as the words left his lips. Mark Efinger stood before us entirely clad in Hamlet's customary black, asking us about the vital truths that sustain the characters of Shakespeare’s play, and
denying that Hamlet was “a man who could not make up his mind.” Although not the first time we had met Efinger, it was the first time we were really able to see how he would fit into the unique fabric of our school. He gripped the dry-erase marker with a purpose; he was here to teach. Our class’s response to him was fascinating: with each question he posed, more and more of our eyes lit up. Cornelia (“Magistra”) Reid, our primary humanities teacher, looked on with her characteristic smile, nodding slowly at first, then more dramatically, as Efinger’s words gathered momentum.
Mark Efinger, like Hamlet, is certainly not a man of inaction. Raised in Shaftsbury, Vermont, Efinger transferred as a sophomore to Phillips Academy Andover, “an all-boys boarding school with a coat-and-tie dress code,” he said. He entered Phillips “wearing jeans and flannel shirts” as “sort of a long-haired ’70s-style skinny sophomore.” There, he was a three-season athlete and a main player in the school’s theater productions. As a senior, he struggled through the realities of a war and the draft while dealing with the responsibilities of a normal high-school student. “I was applying to colleges and hoping I would end up at one, rather
Vox Published annually by The Academy at Charlemont 1359 Route 2 • Charlemont, MA 01339 (413) 339-4912 • fax (413) 339-4324 • academy@charlemont.org Editor: Alex Merrill • Design & Production: Nora Bates Zale ’00 Editing Support: Nora Bates Zale '00, Charlotte Meryman P'12, Cornelia Reid, Martha Tirk Contributing Writers: Isabelle Allen '13, Russell Allen '15, Stephen Arnold '13, Nora Bates Zale '00, Anna Cabre '15, Patrick Dowd '13, Waverley Engelman '13, Annika Fischer '13, Marcus Gould '15, Carly Hall '15, Grace Hall '12, Natalie Herrick '15, Samantha Hersh '15, Sophia Keins '15, Alex Merrill, Ben Miller '13, Emma Picardi '13, Maya Sands Bliss '15, Richard Selleck '13, Sabrina Westgate '15, Eamon Wick '12, Erin Wooldridge '15 Contributing Photographers: Grove Staff, Nora Bates Zale '00, Max Kitchell '12, Peter Kitchell P'12, Lorena Loubsky P'16 The Academy at Charlemont does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation in its education, admissions, and financial aid policies, or in any other programs and policies administered by The Academy.
than in Vietnam,” he said. That November, Nixon’s signing of the Paris Peace treaty temporarily allowed Efinger to return to being a regular high school kid, unaware that he was obligated to register with the Selective Service. When he registered in 1975, he was grandfathered into the draft and given a 1-A draft card. Then, soon after he entered Middlebury College as a young freshman, his father could not afford to pay for Efinger’s tuition, leaving him vulnerable to the draft. Unwilling to play a passive role in this process, Efinger joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) to earn both a four-year deferment from the active military and some of the money he would need for tuition. After four years, he figured the war would be over. “You might say I joined the army to stay out of the army,” says Efinger. While stationed in Germany, Efinger met his wife Cindy, an act he considers his first important life achievement. “This led to the second most significant accomplishment: raising three awesome sons, and eventually to the two of us buying a chunk of forest in Windsor, designing a log home, and building it over
Efinger in the foyer of The Academy the summers from ‘05 to now,” he said. Efinger repeatedly mentions his three sons, “all performers.” Trevor, 26, is an equity actor “currently in dance shows.” Tanner, 28, is a magazine writer, screenplay writer, and restaurant manager. Nate, his oldest, is a musician in both a “five-guy rock band” and an “acoustic duo that specializes in lounge acts with a mix of song and comedy.” The process of raising his children has shaped his view of high school students, Efinger said. “I believe that directness is the key,” he said. “Don’t treat the kids any differently [from how you would treat adults]. When you are happy with what they have done, make sure they know. If you are unhappy with what they have done, make sure they know why.” “Support what they are into, not what we hope they will be into in some odd struggle to please us,” Efinger advised. Efinger is looking forward to maintaining the special character of The Academy as its new Head of School. Before he considers any
changes for the school, Efinger readily pointed out that he must first take some time to get to know The Academy. “I want to keep the things that make us proud of who we are. I am still learning these things,” he said. Efinger envisions a school that “keeps that which is most positively inherent in the fabric of the place: its smallness, its inclusiveness, and its commitment to a balanced development of mind, body, and community.” “There is an undeniable collective energy that comes from a togetherness in an adventure,” he said. “There is a lack of pretentiousness. There is a vibe that cries out about a love of learning through doing.” “Faculty and students truly enjoy this mutual exploration in a place just far enough out of the way to be special, and just close enough to provide perspective,” Efinger added. “We need each other at The Academy. Little is taken for granted. Much is made from little.” “I am looking forward to finding my voice, and speaking my mind, too.”
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Office Space
David Perry Leaves Academy after Five Years of Teaching and Leadership By Alex Merrill
I
t’s Thursday morning during the last week of David Perry’s five-year tenure at The Academy when I go in to pick up some books for the summer. As I walk into what will be his office for one more day, the scene immediately calls to mind an archeological dig. Some shelves are entirely bare, yet the
mounds of what was emptied from their recesses lie strewn across tables and chairs that sit in spread chaos. A crooked cactus, desiccated to the level of erosion, leans sadly in the window. On one table lies an explosion of papers in various states of dilapidation bearing the school letterhead—some manila, others plain white—a video marked simply “Family,” and a decal that reads “I Love my Dog.” Atop a stack of books on the chair adjacent to the one I hesitantly select to sit in, is a precariously perched box of half-chewed toys—presumably for his absent dog, Razzle. David’s signature Batman mask rests crooked on
a shelf, its securing band draped white over the surface of the shelf in a still swirl. He wears a pair of jeans, a button down shirt of mild blue plaid, and a pair of tattered Nikes. His speckled eyebrows are knit with an anxiety that he in some measure attempts to conceal from me as we exchange brief pleasantries. “I have to pack all of this up by tomorrow,” he informs me. After a thoughtful pause he continues: “It’s basically a job of throwing stuff away,” he says as he shuffles behind his desk, “which I’m really bad at!” He glances at me to gauge my reaction and smiles, but his eyebrows remain rigidly in place as he quickly returns to
his current task of excavating the bottom drawer of his desk. He begins to display each item to me proudly as if for one last show and tell. First is a piece of raw cotton, “from a field trip we used to take to Virginia plantations,” he informs me, holding it up, his eyes halfglazed in the past. He obligingly holds it up while I examine it. Next up is some granola, “given to me by Jeannie Bartlett. She began the community-supported agriculture plot here.” He begins to tell the story but his voice fades to a mumble, trails off… and he returns to the bottom drawer. What follows is a rapid string of snacks: Pecans, M&Ms,
David Perry (center) with the author (left), and John Schatz (right) at the student/faculty basketball game.
Sunflower Seeds (which he gives to me), and more oats, all gifts from former students. “All the food I never ate,” he says with conscious profundity that seems to mock itself. And yet he can’t help but pause to gaze a moment longer at the impressive array that now litters the surface of his desk, before darting restlessly over to another shelf adjacent. He began at The Academy in the fall of 2007, hired by Todd Sumner in the role of history teacher and as Director of Studies, a newly created position. He faced the task of improving the academic program, which began with a look at the faculty. “I wanted us to excel in fostering an innovative learning community,” Perry said of one of his goals for the faculty when he first arrived. He also set out to enact a series of more specific modifications to the overall academic program. “He created a workable plan for faculty reviews, he reworked the layout and rubric for senior projects, and he gave us time and space to talk about teaching and learning,” recounted Stephanie Purington. “David helped us formalize and structure a lot of things we were doing.” Perry also took on the role of College Counselor at The Academy during his first year, and set about integrating a greater knowledge of the college admissions process into the curriculum. As Perry pointed out, teaching towards college admission “doesn’t have to be defining, but it certainly adds an interesting and important perspective.” For instance, Perry noted a discrepancy when he first arrived between math scores and aptitude and, on further investigation, discovered that some useful concepts for
the math portion of the SAT were introduced later in the junior year, after most had already taken the test. “Now, they use different materials and teach the lessons in a different sequence, and consequently, the math SAT scores are now equal to the critical reading scores,” Perry said. Confident in the overall state of the college counseling program, he added, “Now The Academy is committed to having a college counselor who works here full time and who is going to have the very same issues on his mind. He’s going to be aware of what colleges are looking for, what transcripts need to look like and what test scores need to look like. As long as you have someone on campus who is thinking about those things and willing to engage the faculty about them, then the outcome will remain positive.” From the beginning of his tenure, Perry wholeheartedly embraced his teaching responsibilities, primarily in his capacity as the history teacher in the junior humanities program. Clare Donohue-Meyer ’11 described his impact in the classroom: “He led really interesting class discussions, helping us consider different sides of an issue to try to figure out where the truth was in a story. His insistence on looking at the results of historical events taught us to appreciate history as a tool for understanding the present.” His influence extended far beyond the classroom, though: “I feel like some of what I learned from DP makes me more aware of the consequences of my choices as I get older and get to make more decisions for myself,” DonohueMeyer said. Nick Feld '12, another former student, added, “As a member of The Academy community, he brought enthusiasm to everything he was
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13 involved in, and a warm personality that everyone loved." As the years rolled on, Perry assumed additional roles and responsibilities, such as Dean of Students and Registrar, eventually taking on the mantle of de facto assistant head of school, in charge of day-to-day operations in his third year at The Academy. Ultimately, Perry assumed the office of Interim Head of School in his final year, which required him to interact more with the Business, Development, and Admissions departments. “I was a lot of things,” said Perry of his dizzying array of positions at The Academy. As the trustees related during graduation, “David has worn many hats extremely well: teacher in an important transitional year for Academy students, advisor and mentor, College Counselor, Academic Dean, Dean of Students, (father of the campus dog, Razzle), and Interim Head of School.” In his final year at The Academy, Perry fully embraced the task of leading both the faculty and student body in direction and spirit. As Nancy Henderson said of his work in the final year, David was “proactive in managing difficult situations, repeatedly responsive in public meetings, and was consistently welcoming at Open House, with the NEASC Committee, and at the Parent Nights.” He also “softened and lightened countless situations, both public and private, with his ever ready sense of humor, and, most importantly, he was firm in underscoring the importance of the Honor Code in daily school life.” Perhaps his most vital role in the final year was inspiring the faculty and staff. As Martha Tirk said of his approach as a leader, he led us with “grace, purpose, and humor.” His leadership “enabled us to pull together to work for a common goal, to work together as a team,” according to Henderson. “The ability to instill this feeling of mutual respect and support among each other is rare,” she added. Purington also
Perry in one of his original roles at The Academy: teaching history to the upper grades. He currently works as High School Guidance Counselor at the International School of Beijing. commented fondly on Perry’s unique spirit, suggesting that Perry approached the job "with joy and a contagious, and often corny, sense of humor. David was able to push us without it feeling pushy.” I return to the school in midJuly and can’t help but peer into his old office to see the change. His furniture is gone, though his desk and a few clunky bookshelves hang by the entryway, quietly awaiting relocation. Little that is material remains of Perry in the office itself. A large volume marked “Four-Year Colleges,” a stack of “Foreign Affairs” magazines, and a smattering of other literature that ostensibly did not make his list of material to keep. As I make my way to my classroom, I pass through the empty halls of Hobbs, which seem yet saturated with the memories of Perry: his abandoned harmonica on a shelf
recalls his impromptu “Oh Susanna” solo at the winter concert; a red arm chair, his reading of The Gift of the Magi at Polyglot; and a shelf in the Common Room, the jack-o-lantern with crazy eyebrows it once housed. But I am startled from the nostalgia of these reminders by the pictures of students on the walls smiling at me as I unhurriedly pass them in the hall. Suddenly I am filled with optimism for the coming year that rises in me like a wave from the ashes of these memories. And though the images of Perry remain, I am comforted by the confidence that somewhere else, perhaps on the other side of the world, David Perry is looking up at an amused audience through his tousled eyebrows, laughing in his familiar halting chuckle at his own clever pun. The man fondly known to many as "DP" reading a holiday story at Polyglot in his role as Interim Head of School.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Academy Weathers Tropical Storm Irene
Turbulence turns students into service learners, river silt into a ballfield
M
By Isabelle Allen ’13
other Nature had a surprise visitor for Franklin County and the surrounding areas last fall: an out-of-towner by the name of Irene. As Tropical Storm Irene made its way through Massachusetts, The Academy at Charlemont awaited the results and their
effect on the upcoming school year. As it turned out, Irene did a significant amount of local damage to Shelburne Falls, Charlemont, and Hawley. Though Academy buildings withstood the storm, many local businesses and other schools were left with what seemed to be irreparable damage. So, in true Academy spirit, as the new school year began, The Academy community joined together to help those in need. Each class spent two days at various locations throughout West County assisting people in cleaning up the debris from Irene’s aftermath. According to teacher John Schatz, “The cleanup in Shelburne Falls was extraordinary. Students came in with such a great attitude and received praise from so many passersby and business owners.
From sweeping the silt from sidewalks to (unfortunately) throwing away hundreds of books that had been submerged under several feet of river water, the ninth grade, in particular, accomplished a great deal, and appreciated some complimentary ice cream from Mo’s as well!” Those who worked with Academy students and faculty members were extremely appreciative of the help they received. Following the cleanup efforts, Interim Head of School David Perry reflected on The Academy’s role in the local community: “We were so fortunate to have missed the brunt of the storm, but we could see the devastation all around us. It just seemed to us that we could put our coursework aside in order to learn a valuable
lesson about how people around here help each other out in times of need. That’s what folks in New England have been doing for each other for centuries, and so it was natural for us to lend our collective muscle towards local clean-up efforts.” Throughout the school year following Irene, The Academy remained active in local restoration and reconstruction efforts. While the silt left from the storm could not support seedlings, it was not entirely unusable. In fact, its initial inhibition of plant growth made it the perfect choice to use on the new Academy baseball infield. The Academy’s baseball team worked alongside faculty members and Academy parents building our beautiful new baseball diamond, recycling the
The senior class strikes triumphant poses in front of Hawlemont Regional Elementary School on an Irene clean-up day in late August, 2011.
Shoveling river silt at Hawlemont Regional Elementary School's baseball field. silt from the storm. The Academy also took time to remember the costs of Irene by serving as host for an art show held on campus. The show was a community effort, exhibiting local photographs and stories depicting the impact of Irene. Organized by the Economic Development Roundtable of Charlemont in March 2012, the exhibition was open to the public for several weeks. Rachel Porter, one of the key organizers, described some of the inspiration behind the show: “This project grew out of the stories told at the Roundtable meetings. It was a way of acknowledging the human spirit: people’s experiences and the generosity of the community that followed. It [seemed] to us that we should provide a place to share peoples’ experiences.” Reconstruction and recuperation from Irene still continues today. Walking
through the streets of Shelburne Falls, one can see local businesses and artisans that are in the process of rebuilding, and along Route 2 this past spring, newly tilled farmlands were visible where the silt had been removed, and new crops were sprouting. While Irene did stop some of Massachusetts in its tracks, the local community proved that it could survive just about anything, even a hurricane. Despite the storm, life in Franklin County still thrives, and the perseverance demonstrated in the wake of Irene will continue to serve as a reminder of the community values The Academy cherishes.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Parents, students and faculty gather in the Upper Field in the early spring of 2012 to build Zephyr Field.
A portion of The Academy's 2012 co-ed baseball team with Coach David Chalfant.
A Diamond in the Rough
Zephyr Field: A Lasting Tribute to a Beloved Alum, Zephyr Rapinchuk ’10 By E amon Wick ’12
I
t may not be Fenway’s Green Monster, nor have the classic façade of Yankee Stadium, or the signature ivy that adorns the walls of Wrigley Field, but for the first time in its young history, The Acad-
emy at Charlemont baseball team has a home-field advantage. Situated in the picturesque Upper Field and backed by the Berkshire mountain range, Zephyr Field provides a beautiful setting for playing, as well as watching the Aardvarks take on the competition. Building the field was, as many Academy projects are, a labor of love taken on by the whole community. While former Athletic Director Jesse Porter-Henry worked countless hours planning,
designing, and constructing the field, Zephyr's father Kamal Souccar played an integral role in leading the project as well. Meanwhile, Academy parent and landscaper Tom Shaw, Plant Manager Bob White, Business Manager John Baldwin, and Zephyr's grandfather Jim Rapinchuk all laid out baselines, measured the outfield, and worked to fit a full-sized baseball field, with 90-foot base paths, into the limited space of the Upper Field. Academy students, parents, and teachers alike helped to cut out
the infield, which itself was river silt from the flooded Deerfield River, donated by the nearby Indian Plaza Gift Shop. Thanks to the amazing work of these people, the field is fully usable, and having seen two home victories, already has some mileage on it. However, Athletic Director David Chalfant is already looking to take it to the next level, with plans for dugouts and a fence in right field already in the works. As for long-term goals, Chalfant hopes for a shed to hold maintenance equipment, a batting cage with a pitching machine, and easily the most essential of the bunch, a hot dog cart and nacho stand. Even with these elements to improve upon, the benefits of Charlemont having its own baseball field are numerous. “It was really nice to not have to travel for every game and
have friends be able to come up and cheer us on,” says senior Jesse Cohen. The head coach of the team, Chalfant, adds “it’s invaluable for the team to have a real field to practice on every day. There’s nothing like running drills on a regulation field to get ready for an actual game.” Chalfant also sees how Zephyr Field’s use can be extended. “For the school it’s an amazing resource and bridge to the community. The field was built for Academy teams to use, but also intended for use by the neighborhood.” This use encompasses summer league games, pick-up games, and local little league play. In fact, the field has already seen last year’s annual Senior vs. Faculty Kickball game, as well as a spirited pick-up baseball game. It is more than just a baseball field, as Zephyr Field serves as a
memorial to Zephyr Rapinchuk, a beloved alum who tragically passed away after a skiing accident in 2011. Zephyr Field is a tribute to a life-long Red Sox fan who dearly loved baseball; it is a fitting tribute to a person who dearly loved baseball, a fitting way to remember the lively and loving person who gave so much to everyone he met, and to The Academy community as a whole. His spirit was certainly present at the dedication ceremony in late May, as his mother, Tanya Rapinchuk, spoke on the pitcher’s mound. With rain threatening to soak the ceremony, the westerly wind of Zephyr’s namesake pushed the clouds out of the way, leaving a shining, sunny day punctuated by words that will be heard often on this field in the years to come: “Play ball!”
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
T H E EBB AND F LOW O F AC ADEMY FAC ULTY s a n d y wa r r e n
On a Mission for Admissions the life of the school. In addition to her job in As head of the Admissions admissions, Ms. Warren’s Office, Sandy Warren was the outreach helped to make The first faculty member many Academy more prospective students met. widely known This tremendous responsibilamong the ity required her to be outgobroader coming, respectful, invested, and munity and put dedicated. Luckily for The our little school Academy, Ms. Warren already on the map. She possessed all of these characwas dedicated to teristics, and more. Although finding students students may not have seen her who embodevery day, she was constantly ied the unique spirit of the working behind the scenes Academy, helping to reinforce to make The Academy great. its identity. As she said of the From introducing potential Academy today, “We are much students to the school, to run- better known in the valley, as ning the admissions process, well as the Northampton/Amto providing a therapist’s couch herst area, since I’ve been here, for some of the faculty, Ms. and I’ve enjoyed seeing that. Warren played a critical part in We have a very good reputaBy R ichard Selleck ’13
j o h n s c h at z
{Teacher = [(Math Problem × 1 Loud Yell) Extreme]}
tion in those areas.” While she has delighted in the overall popularity of The Academy, watching the number of female musicians grow in recent years was a particular joy for her, balancing the wealth of musical talent at the school. The Academy has had the distinct pleasure of having Ms. Warren at the school for the past five years. We all wish her well in her retirement. Although she will be leaving the Admissions Office, the commitment she had to the school will not be forgotten.
By R ichard Selleck ’13 John Schatz is insane. Of course, I write that with the most flattering definition in mind, as this man is no ordinary teacher. Arguably one of the most energetic teachers at The Academy, Mr. Schatz is able to keep his students interested, and even excited, about the content of his lessons. When not teaching freshmen about nucleotide excision repair, or his pre-calculus class how to find the sum of an infinite series, Mr. Schatz is most likely running. Earlier this year, he competed in the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon, a grueling test of fitness and endurance usually undertaken by teams of five… by himself. Mr. Schatz also brings this enthusiasm to life in his coaching for the school. Last year, he coached the cross-country team in the fall, and in the spring, was the driving force behind our boys’ varsity Ultimate team, the “Haardvarks.” Mr. Schatz’s athleticism puts all those who are coached by him to the test; his sheer energy can motivate a tired ultimate player to gain the extra strength they need to complete that fifth campus lap. When asked what he liked most about coaching, Schatz responded, “It’s a great way to see students outside of the classroom, and see how different students excel and interact in ways that you might not see when they are solving a quadratic equation.” He leaves The Academy to become the headmaster of the Island School in the Bahamas. We will certainly miss having him at The Academy, and the two years he has spent here have been two great years indeed. When asked what he would miss most about our school, he took a while to think. Finally, he said, “The community. Not only the people, but the place. It’s a beautiful area, more so than I ever thought it was, and I’ve become connected to the place itself.” We wish Mr. Schatz, with his ludicrous enthusiasm for life, all the best as he seeks connections in a new place.
cornelia reid
Vale, Magistra By Sam Hersh ’15
year, she taught Latin V, the senior humanities course, and Cornelia Reid, The Acada beginner Greek course to emy’s well-loved Latin teacher, me, as well as a more advanced retired for a second time at the Greek course to senior Beaend of the 2011-12 school year. trice (Bea) Bompani. “She’s After coming back to The my favorite teacher!” Bea Academy for a final year, she gushed one afternoon when has decided, again, that it was asked about Magistra. “She is enough. In the opinion of her extremely competent. She finds colleague, Sandy Warren, the the material we are interested recently retired Admissions in.” I couldn’t help but agree. Director at The Academy, Magistra is a favorite teacher “She’s old, like me. You get for many students, and her tired, even if it’s fun.” Ms. Reid colleagues speak affectionately is fondly referred to by both of her. “She brings light,” Bea students and staff as ‘Magistra’ said later on when asked about (Latin for ‘teacher’), and has Magistra’s retirement. “Losbeen teaching at The Acading her is like losing a parent,” emy since 2001, when her son added junior Kellie Rainville. Simon graduated. She began Kerlin Conyngham, the Dean at The Academy teaching all of of Students and photography the Latin courses and an opteacher agreed, “I’ll miss her tional Greek course. This past tremendously,” she said, but
“Boy, if anyone deserves to retire without feeling guilty about it, [it’s her]." While we will miss Magistra Reid’s exceptional dedication and commitment to the students, we wish her the best in her new adventures and offer much continuing gratitude for the legacy she has imparted through her stellar work as an educator at The Academy over the last eleven years. Bonam fortunam, Magistra!
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
T H E EBB AND F LOW O F AC ADEMY FAC ULTY
Fresh Faces: New Faculty Members Join The Academy profit organizations, and was instrumental in establishing the first public library in one village. s The Academy says farewell to some of When asked why she was drawn to our school, Scudder said, “I its most beloved faculty members, an wanted to teach at a school that emphasized the ‘whys’ of educaextensive search for their successors tion alongside the ‘whats.’ ” This sense of purposeful has come to a triumphant end. learning is integral to both The Academy’s philosophy After the review of more than truly passionate about science, and Scudder’s approach in the 200 resumes, observations of math, music, and sports, and I classroom. When discussing numerous sample lessons, and see real connections between the value of applying language scores of preliminary interviews, all of these areas that may seem through travel, she states, “It three candidates were selected ostensibly different. The Acadis always important to bring to bolster The Academy’s rich emy’s emphasis on incorporatintention to learning.” Scudder teaching staff. Interim Head ing art and athletics along with is also a talented athlete, and of School David Perry worked rigorous academics tells me that was recruited to play basketball closely with current faculty students will have diverse induring her time at Amherst Colmembers and incoming Head terests like mine.” These diverse lege, a skill that is all the more of School Mark Efinger during interests will surely allow him to valuable with the formation of this extensive process, and their enhance many different facets the Charlemont girl’s basketball collective work has resulted in of Academy life, whether in the team in 2012. the addition of a group of talclassroom, on the athletic field, Her passion for language ented new teachers, each eager or in Studio Blocks. does not end with Spanish, as to share their unique skills and The school’s most seasoned she writes poetry during her knowledge with our community. teacher, Jane Grant, also anfree time. Scudder’s energy for Early in the year, John Schatz nounced her decision to begin teaching, extracurricular activiannounced that he had accepted a well-earned retirement at the ties, and social action makes her the Head of School position at end of the 2011-12 academic a welcome addition. The Island School’s semester year, leaving her six levels of In January, David Perry anprogram in Cape Eleuthera. Spanish in need of a teacher nounced that he and his family Schatz has who could match her skill and would be relocating to China in served in many dedication. The hiring comorder for him to assume a posicapacities at mittee selected Caitlin Scudder tion at the International School The Academy, to fill her shoes, and she enters of Beijing. While Mr. Perry’s not only as The Academy with the energy greatest task during this past a commitand experience that is vital to school year lay in acting as the ted math and the position. Interim Head of School, he also science teacher, but also as a Scudder reserved as a distinctly enthusiastireless coach, and a source of ceived her B.A. tic teacher of American History knowledge on environmental in Spanish and and as a college counselor. Mr. sustainability. With this varied English from Perry’s departure, in addition to skill set in mind, the hiring Amherst Col- Cornelia Reid’s decision not to committee selected Michael lege and, like return to teach the Senior HuCardozo to fill the many posiher classmate and friend Mimanities course, left the school tions that Schatz leaves behind. chael Cardozo, she received her in search of someone to fill Cardozo holds a B.A. in Master’s in Teaching at Smith in several of these important roles. Biology from Wesleyan UniMay of 2012. Many candidates interviewed versity and recently received Scudder has experience for this job, but eventually the his Master’s degree in teaching teaching language both locally hiring committee would find the from Smith College. Cardozo, and abroad, and spent time as a right person only miles away. along with a devotion to science student and a teacher in Costa Neale Gay comes to us with and the promotion of evidence- Rica developing ties with the a wealth of teaching experience based thought, brings with him Central Highlands region. She from Mohawk Trail Regional athletic and musical talents, worked to improve literacy there High School. He developed five stating, “I’m someone who is through her efforts with nonnew courses during his time By Patrick D owd ’13
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there and is driven by what he calls “a commitment to keeping the humanities alive.” It is with this commitment that Gay has taught both English and History throughout his career, and it is with this commitment that he comes to The Academy. “There’s a lot of interest [here] for the sorts of student opportunities I’ve tried to make central to my teaching career,” says Gay “I look forward to more collaboration with other teachers surrounding student opportunities and achievement. Those sorts of initiatives really excite me.” Gay also sees the arts as a central part of students’ learning. A founding member of the Mohawk Arts & Education Council, he directed six plays during his time there. He is also a music enthusiast and brought touring bands to perform for Mohawk students. He says, “I
have managed to befriend a number of interesting people who play music. It’s through these friends that I’ve gotten bands to play at my current school. This is something I’d like to explore further.” Gay has also coordinated international trips and exchange programs, allowing his students to experience journeys to Greece and Italy, as well as longer exchanges with the city of Zeist in the Netherlands. Gay’s ambitious desire to improve students’ learning experiences is an exciting asset that will no doubt flourish here. Although it is never easy to say goodbye to teachers as familiar and loved as those graduating with the Class of 2012, the future is in good hands. These new teachers exemplify The Academy’s spirit of balance and open-mindedness in both their professional endeavors and their personal attitudes, and their arrival ensures an exciting year to come.
And one more... By Nora Bates Z ale With Jesse Porter-Henry’s move this summer to Hampshire Regional High School, The Academy has welcomed Doug Forbes to our team of talented faculty. Doug is teaching Climate Connections, Environmental Science, and Statistics. Originally from Exeter, NH, Doug attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he received a B.A. in Geography & Environmental Studies. He has worked as an outdoor/ environmental educator in California and in New England. In 2006, Doug and his wife, Lida, prompted by a desire to be closer to family on the East Coast, moved to Charlemont with their two young sons. Doug completed a Master's of Science in Conservation Biology at Antioch University in 2011 and has been working for the National Audubon Society, monitoring the effects of a new wind turbine at Berkshire East on local wildlife. Doug is thrilled at his opportunity to join the Academy community. He brings a great energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to his role that is sure to captivate students throughout the grades.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Let Slip the Dogs of War A Student Thespian Reflects on Last Year’s Production of
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By Waverly E ngelman ’13
spent most of last winter memorizing complicated and thrilling lines of Shakespeare text, focusing on my breathing, staring into Karina Feitner's eyes, trying to learn the moonwalk,
catching Ben Miller in my arms, and striding through Sumner Recital Hall in Roman senatorial robes. From December to February, the world of ancient Rome took over The Academy when Shakespeare & Company’s Carmen Mandley and Kelly Galvin co-directed a cast and crew of over 30 students in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. I played Marcus Brutus, while Ben Miller ’13 played Caesar, and Karina Feitner ’14 played Cassius, in what marks the third year of a residency with Shakespeare & Company, the acclaimed performance, training and education center in Lenox. “Shakespeare & Company had a residency in the early days of The Academy,” said Stephanie Purington, longtime Academy math teacher and the faculty liaison to the drama program, “and it seemed like a natural thing to reach out to them when we needed a change for the drama program. I think they bring a love of theater, a lot of education about acting and directing, and a collaborative feel to the productions.” Caesar marked a departure from the two previous years of comedies, As You Like It in 2010 and Twelfth Night in 2011. A tragedy created new challenges and brought a different energy
to the stage, featuring several violent scenes, which forced many actors and actresses to pivot from the formal poses and dignified manners of senators to bloody scenes of assassination and suicide. The physical interactions required a new set of skills. We were fortunate that one of our directors, Carmen Mandley, is a fight choreographer and movement teacher. Rosa Shapiro-Thompson ‘15 played both Portia, the wife of Brutus, and one of four living statues inserted into specific scenes to interpret the text as movement. Shapiro-Thompson recalled what she learned from Carmen: “She taught us how to use our strength to transform minute movements into something very cool. For example, once we had to hold
a textbook on our forearm and move it down about six inches throughout a minute while carefully calculating our action’s speed. We learned how to work together as a unit from all four corners of the stage.” Co-director Kelly Galvin commented on another reason why she and Mandley chose Julius Caesar for this particular cast: “At auditions, Carmen and I found that the group had a fiery presence and passionate energy in the room together,” Galvin said. “Looking at Caesar, not only did we see a large number of wonderful parts, but also characters that have a similar passionate zeal— a commitment to their ideas, a willingness to fight for what they believe is right.” This is Galvin’s third residency at The Academy, and she notes that, although The Academy is much smaller than any other school she usually works with, “the Julius Caesar company had almost as many students as did my fall residency, which is wonderful because that means a much larger percentage of The Academy is participating in the play. That willingness to try new activities, think creatively, and apply your talents to many different disciplines is something that is exciting and unique about The Academy.” Participation was not re-
Julius Caesar
stricted to just upperclassmen. In fact, younger students made up the majority of the company. Seventh graders Connor O’Brien and Michaela Lindsey, along with five more of their classmates, became a part of the drama community this year. Connor and Michaela both told me they enjoyed working with older students and felt immediately that they belonged. Indeed, this collaborative approach drives Shakespeare & Company’s philosophy, as Galvin commented that their work is “deeply rooted in the idea that
Latin and humanities teacher Molly Gayton, “the audience knew the characters more intimately and viewed the action from all angles. It was as though I had a front-row seat to history and could watch the power struggles of the late Republic firsthand. This venue allows for history to become alive again and more accessible.” Winter drama is a high point of The Academy experience, and every year I find that it also becomes an extension of the spirit of the school—of learning and working together for a common
The author, left, in one of the final scenes of the play. Photos on this page by Nora Bates Zale, '00; opposing page: Lorena Loubsky, P'16. by listening and responding goal. This year, in tackling a difhonestly to the people we work ficult and emotionally draining with, we can take a play that’s play, the whole company expebeen performed for hundreds rienced enormous growth in a of years and create something very short span of time. We also brand new.” had more fun together than ever The collaborative element of before. To counter our opening the production even involved night nerves, we had a dance Jesse Cohen ’13 and Addie Bar- party and tried to learn the ron ’13, who joined the commoonwalk. We did silly vocal pany to compose original music warm-ups and drew hilarious for the production. pictures on the white boards. Shakespeare & Company also But we were on our marks and worked to include the audience sure of our lines when the stage in the performance, utilizing a lit for the opening act—and theater-in-the-round format. only a little bit nervous. “Et tu, “Through this technique,” said Brutus?” Yes, even me.
VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
ARTS ABO U NDING
Visual and Performing Arts Continue to Flourish Euphronios: A Window into the Home of Academy Artists by Sabrina Westgate ’15
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conversation makes itself right at home among the crinkled waft of warm air washes over you as papers and sketches. In fact, it is more common than not that the you walk into the room. The spider nature of these colloquies holds me and my class late into the web of art pieces mounted along the adjacent school period, resulting in a mad rush of trampling walls, combined with the systematic feet racing to the next class. Yet, even in the midst of my exit, I it hit me that I never would have can never deny myself one last, organized mess that appears to imagined participating in a full- wistful glance at the leaning be a haphazard placement of grids and half-painted paper on blown debate over the intricabookshelves and paint-enameled the counters around the room, cies of art among a group of plastic table tops, a picture of the creates a most chaotic appear14 year-olds. Yet in this room, room that shall always be frozen ance; yet, somehow, the atmowhere abstract creativity and the in my mind as the confluence of sphere retains a feeling of sturdy corporeal mind can meld and Academy art. calmness and peace. mesh into one, such a sagacious This is Euphronios, the home of Academy potters, sculptors, painters, photographers, sketch artists, or even people who just want to get away from the stress of school work. A wall crammed full of paintings, drawings and collages, each pinned by a frayed corner and sprawling over an adjoining piece of artwork, is the mantel of the room; each individual piece is a window into the mind of its creator, the story of their heart painted onto paper. In here, one can find a sanctuary for creativity while sitting in a respectable silence, muted only by the incessant hum of the firing kiln in the background. Or, if feeling more sociable, one can converse companionably with friends. Much insightful discourse has been held in the center of the art room, including my Foundations in Art class discussion about the definition of art. Initially, I thought nothing of the perspicacity of our conversation; however, when we began debating whether a sanded piece of driftwood was any less An ever-changing array of art papers the walls of Euphronios. a piece of art than a Van Gogh,
Mrs. BZ in class with students.
Mosaics: The Diversity of Piecing it Together
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By C arly Hall ’15
aught by a woman who quietly admits to loving Lil' Wayne ("misogyny aside") and is always willing to debrief on last night's Glee episode, Mosaics is by far one of the
best Studio Blocks at The Academy. An alum from the class of 2000, Nora Bates Zale teaches this studio block and asks her students to call her “Mrs. BZ,” because “Bates Zale sounds like ‘bake sale,’” Mrs. BZ is well loved because she is “awesome, fun, and great!” says eighth-grader Emma LoubskyLonergan. The class, open to all grades, provides interaction among lower- and upper-school students and, says Mrs. BZ, allows them to “bond over the new shade of beautiful red tile that was just ordered, or how hard it is to cut a tile shape just so, or maybe over a new song they found on YouTube - pop culture and visual art have always been
related.” One key part in making a mosaic is the design. These designs can be whatever the student feels inspired by. Mrs. BZ recalls that she has seen students use “everything from simple text pieces, to reinterpretations of photographs (even a coatof-arms), to geometric pieces, to animal or nature scenes, to Rosie the Riveter.” This diversity makes each mosaic unique, and yet they are all similar in the process and materials used. Mrs. BZ creates a structured, yet enjoyable class that allows students to express their creativity collectively. Lil’ Wayne would definitely approve.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
ARTS ABO U NDING
The Quintessential New England Writing Class
Ruth Charney guiding young writers in her studio block course.
M By Sam Hersh ’15
elpomene: the muse of tragedy and rhetoric, the lovely woman often depicted holding a tragic mask portraying a gruesome face
twisted in agony and grief, and, not least, the name of the too-tiny classroom with the too-large wooden table where Creative Writing Studio Blocks find their home. Tragedy and rhetoric reign supreme in the class run by Ruth Charney, as do comedy and romance, drama and delight, crime and justice – the
traits of many of the muses that the Academy classrooms are named for. Calling on the inspiration of famous poets, novelists, and the occasional baked good, Ruth sends us on a wild, nerve-wracking, and mind-opening journey through the wondrous lands of inspiration and the hellish, often horrifying, graveyard
Therapy in a Basket
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By M argaret Bennet t ’15
asket weaving has become popular over the last few years at The Academy, as many have come to enjoy its soothing effect. “It calms me down after stressful
Neeley in class, working with reeds used for creating baskets
of muses past and those ideas mulled over one too many times. The safe, comforting environment created by the Creative Writing class is tinged with just enough envy and awe to inspire us to push the limits of our creativity and break the backs of our muses. Raw and rich, from mixed metaphors to sticky sweet quotes that stay with you for the rest of the day‚ the rough and unrefined, with that hint of beginner’s luck which makes every piece of writing leave you craving more, the styles of the writers are entirely unique and belong only to themselves. No stranger to the pains and joys of cultivating a creative piece of work, I find the class home-like and charming, if not slightly daunting, when it comes my turn to read. But, despite the thick and palpable terror in the back of my throat and the piercing, owl-like stares of the people around the table, the reading is worth it for the complimentary comments, and for the wave of sheer relief clearing away the terror in the back of my throat, allowing me to breathe again.
classes,” says Kellie Rainville, who has taken the class for two years. Instructor Charlene Neeley welcomes anyone with any level of basket-weaving skill. “She is really nice and super helpful,” students say. Mrs. Neeley has been teaching basket weaving for 17 years, perhaps, she says, because “basket weaving is therapeutic, and the kids like it, which is a plus for me.” When asked if they would recommend this class to others, current students replied, “Definitely!” The atmosphere of the class is friendly and social, and the students often break into spontaneous song. The class is not without its practical results, though, as students get to keep their work. It is really cool to
In Living Colors
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By Natalie Herrick ‘15
lthough Watercolor Painting was only a small class, it was one of the most calming that I have ever taken. Our instructor, renowned artist Roy Supe-
rior, typically began the class by having us clear our minds and focus on a scene we wanted to capture. He told us to “capture the scene as a photo, make it your own.” (I had always thought that if you made it your own, then it wouldn’t be the scene itself anymore. Luckily, Roy had a way of explaining things to me that made sense.) He always told me to avoid painting something nice, only to wash it away with water. Once, I finally listened to him and didn’t wash the colors away, and afterwards, many people complimented me about how
much my colors stood out. That was all thanks to Roy. When painting, we just let the simple sound of silence take over and focused on our work. Occasionally we heard Roy’s voice, cracking a joke or telling us how scared he was of the school chef. His laugh is contagious. Whether outside painting trees, or sitting inside painting what we see indoors, we always found a way to have fun with the simple experience of putting life into color.
Above: Superior in the studio with Academy painters. Right: a watercolor painting by Hannah Lessels, '14.
come home and see something that you spent weeks making put into use. For this reason and many others, I really love
Basket Weaving. It’s a fun and relaxing class that I think anyone could benefit from taking.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Musical Notes
ARTS ABO U NDING
Student Musicians Reflect on Studio Blocks that Keep the Beat on Campus Here Comes Treble
Warbling with Weeks
By S ophia Keins ’15
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cappella, as a norm, is often associated with young college men doo-wopping to the sound of their own beat boxing. At The Academy however, a cappella is very different, an experience unlike any other vocal group. I’ve sung a cappella since seventh grade, but until this year I saw it as simply a bunch of people singing without instruments. When the first day of A Cappella began this year, it still seemed as if we would need a few upperclassmen to walk through the door. We were eight people in all, and only one was a senior. The group started out shaky, unsure of our small size and ability to perform. Over the next few weeks, however, we learned to work as a group and mesh our voices under the tutelage of our guiding force, Tracy Grammer. We all knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and compensated for them. We performed a gospel song during Grandparents’ Day, and even with small numbers, our soul rocked the house. We
With early musical influences such as The Beatles, The on Weeks has been, and Monkees, Jefferson Airplane continues to be, a great mu- and The Rolling Stones, Jon sical resource for students Weeks started playing rock at The Academy. His musical and roll when he was in high knowledge, passion for music, school. He then moved to and teaching skills have a wider selection of instruhelped Charlemont students ments‚ including the flute and expand their musical horisaxophone. He has played in zons in bands such as Jazz, many bands and is still an Klezmer, and Folk. active musician in the community. At The Academy, he continues to embrace his love of music through teaching. Concerning his responsibility as a teacher, he recently said, “My role is to expose students to jazz and encourage them to improvise and express their own musical ideas and open their ears to a variety of styles.” In class he tries to build upon the students’ natural talents by selecting music that complements and stretches their abilities. He is skilled at vocalizing the direction he wants the music to go, and creates a warm, comfortable environment. However, Weeks said, “I learn as much from the students as I teach them.” His work with the students, spanning an impressive array of genres, is of great benefit to The Academy at Charlemont learning community. Isabelle Allen, ’13, a sax player and longtime student of Jon Weeks By Russell Allen ’15
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A capella singers at the 2012 spring concert. then set our eyes on the winter concert for which we prepared “Good Ole A Cappella,” a quintessential a cappella song, filled with “oohs” and rhythm. Minutes before we were supposed to go onto the Memorial Hall stage in Shelburne Falls, we squeezed into an unused closet backstage. We huddled, heads bent together, laughing and swaying and snapping
Where it Begins
our fingers to the sound of our own music. Standing there, I realized how close-knit we had become, how well we all knew one another. This sense of community is something that could happen only at The Academy at Charlemont. We had worked together to form a collective music; we certainly weren’t the norm, but we were, without a doubt, Here Comes Treble.
By M aya Sands Bliss ’15
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In the Garage harmonizing on stage.
icrophones screech. Amps are plugged in. Students converse and laugh in the Recital Hall, ready for In the Garage. This Studio Block for seventh and eighth graders gives students a chance to try new instruments, which, as eighth grader Christina Secor says, “is a good learning experience. It’s a great introduction to the world of music.” In the Garage has been co-led by Dave Chalfant and Scott Hoffman for the past two years. Group members
performed “Perfect” by Pink, and “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz during last winter’s concert and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” by Green Day, and “All Star” by Smash Mouth this past spring. One student said “We all learn at different rates—some of us already know to play certain instruments, but want to learn
new ones; some of us just stick with one instrument the whole time—but we find songs that we can all play.” In the Garage is the first in a set of three bands offered at The Academy. Next year, eighth graders will be in At the Club, and soon after that they will be rocking in On the Road!
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ARTS ABO U NDING
The Muse in the Midst
By M arcus G ould ‘15
“Well I don’t know if I’m walking on solid ground Cause everything around me is crumbling down And all I want is for someone to help me” These lyrics, from the song ”I Need A Dollar,” by Aloe Blanc, have been an inspiration to Ramzi Moushabeck ’14 in his recent development as a songwriter. Though he has been playing music for six years, two years ago, Ramzi decided he wanted to write his own songs. This year Ramzi was a student in Dan Pac’s songwriting studio block. In a recent interview about the class, Ramzi said that this Studio Block offering gave him the time to really sit down and work on new songs. He added that Mr. Pac helped him to write lyrics that were actually meaningful to him. In the class, Academy students have the opportunity to work with Pac, an exceptional musician and songwriter, to create songs of their own inspiration. The projects range from simple composition, to assembling chords that sound good, to lyrical projects and songs complete with both lyrics and music. The projects that have come out of the class have been performed at Academy coffee houses, Academy concerts, and even at other venues. Academy students have created some amazing songs and this class has helped them do that.
Various groupings of Women Who Rock singers on stage.
Women Who Rock By Anna C abre ’15
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fant supplies the idea, and from there the students give some of ased on learning about strong women themselves to the song, creating a lovely mix of planned music and their music, Women Who Rock and passion. Seventh grader Xavi Castro inspires young musicians to pursue their says, “Mr. Chalfant inspires me to do better in my own music. love of music no matter their gender, He makes it easy to do what you love. I love the drums. I’ll ask thus making it one of the most Rock so exciting and successful him if I can play the drums in a popular band blocks. Freshman is that instructor David Chalfant song, and he’ll say sure!’” Natalie Herrick says one of the lets the students, “do what they Women Who Rock allows for things that makes Women Who want with the music.” Mr. Chal- all ages. Freshman Claire DiLeo
says of this balance, “It’s impressive that so many people from so many age groups are able to work together.” Women Who Rock strives to create a community based on passion, not age. Mr. Chalfant encourages everyone to work together in a reflection of the equality that The Academy teaches, reminding us every Thursday that there are no boundaries when it comes to music.
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AC ADEMY ATHLETES
On the Court, in the River, on the Mountain Organizing the Fun: Jesse Porter-Henry
Dancing on the Deerfield
By Ben Miller ’13
By M arcus G ould ’15
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s a student, you are excited to get out of class early to go to the game. As a parent, you groan when you realize that you have to drive to school late to retrieve your child. As a coach, you get out of work early and find the keys to Van Go (Bus #2). As a teacher, you quietly fume when half of your students are unexpectedly missing. As Jesse Porter-Henry, you smile with relief because everything is going smoothly. While there are a select few that know of his immense importance, most, like this newcomer (who respectfully wished to remain anonymous), mistakenly believe that Mr. P-H's only duty is “to call other Athletic Directors to schedule games, and make sure the teams leave on time.” Unfortunately, reality is slightly more complicated. “He does most of it," says Jen Rizzi, The Academy's debonair daytime secretary. Not only the Athletic Director and faculty advisor to the Athletic Council, until his departure this summer, Porter-Henry additionally teaches Chemistry to the sophomores and Pre-Algebra to the seventh grade. He also organized the locker rooms, sports shed, lost and found; helped Mr. White line the fields; worked out the busing and transportation for every game; located, hired, and acclimated the coaches to The Academy’s athletic program; bought and maintained all equipment and jerseys; and does everything else even vaguely athletic. It’s not all serious, however. At morning meeting he occasion-
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Jesse Porter-Henry on the slopes with his ski team at Berkshire East. ally made announcements he expects to schedule with. varieties. Personalized clothing about the “fossils” he found Before the establishment of started popping up among the after sports (the solid remains the RVAL, scheduling was an student body at school a mere from a muddy cleat, a block of ad-hoc and long-range affair. few weeks after the website’s mud with impressions from the Now, Porter-Henry enthuses implementation. This new studs). To add to this madness, about the seasonal face-to-face store is one of many contribuhe is the loving father of a (by all meetings, his chance to interact tions to The Academy that Jesse accounts utterly adorable) baby and learn from his colleagues. Porter-Henry has wrought. No girl‚ who patiently, or impatient- With this newfound stability matter what these may be, they ly, awaits his return from work there are more opportunities in all exhibit the qualities of The every day. the Athletic Director’s schedule Academy’s athletic program: Since 2010, The Academy has to improve the current program small, yet excellent, individually been part of a group of small, and bring new activities to frui- nurturing while team-based, competitive athletic programs tion. community-oriented but comin and around Western MassaWhen asked, Porter-Henry petitive. chusetts called the River Valley raved about the new things he Sadly, Porter-Henry has deAthletic Association (RVAL). hoped the school would impleparted for Hampshire Regional The newly founded RVAL has ment in the next few seasons. High School where he is teachalready established tournaments Possibilities include more “non- ing chemistry. He has passed on in soccer, Ultimate frisbee, and competitive, skill-based activithe athletic directorship to fan basketball. This year the RVAL ties,” such as mountain biking or favorite David Chalfant, who will also be adding a crosscross-country skiing; hopefully will seek to maintain the same country invitational tournament these will act as siblings to the innovation and spirit that has to its repertoire. Porter-Henry, ever-popular kayaking prolong been a part of Academy one of its founders, is grateful gram (organized through Zoar athletics. Aardvark coaches for the continuity, regularity, Outdoor). and athletes alike already have and sociability this brings to Also new to the Athletic begun to anticipate the spirit of each year. All sports schedules Department is an online store. affability and vivacity that will are done at least one season At www.mylocker.net, students, no doubt accompany Chalfant’s in advance, and the establishparents, alumni, or other friends tenure as Athletic Director. ment of the RVAL means there of The Academy can order is a “set list” of schools that customized apparel of many
he Academy has found a way to harness the great power of the neighboring Deerfield River. In the spring and fall, students have the opportunity to participate in the Zoar Outdoor after-school whitewater kayaking program. The program is designed to help newcomers learn the skills needed to master the river and allow veterans to hone their skills. The skills taught range from paddling techniques all the way up to the more advanced conquering of Zoar Gap, a Class 3 rapid. The program begins with wet exits, an exercise that involves flipping a boat over and swimming into the freezing cold water of the Deerfield River. Over the next five weeks students learn how to “catch” and “peel out” of eddies, how to cross the river safely, and how to right a boat after capsizing. The program culminates with an all-day paddling trip from the Fife Brook Dam, through the Zoar Gap, and back to the Zoar Lodge. The experience of using learned skills in an all-day adventure on the river is one to remember. Being able to kayak less than five miles away helps remind us of the multitude of opportunities that are available at The Academy.
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AC ADEMY ATHLETES
The First Academy Girls’ Basketball Team By E rin Wo oldrid ge ’15
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ast winter, after many years of offering co-ed multi-age basketball, Academy girls from grades 9-12 played on the first all-girls’ basketball team. Coaches Synphany Bates Zale and David Chalfant alternated coaching practices throughout the week. Mondays
and Wednesdays were spent working on ball-handling and skills with Synphany, while Tuesdays and Thursdays focused on conditioning and drills with Mr. Chalfant. After just a handful of practices, we had our first game, resulting in a loss against Mohawk’s middle school team. While we were not victorious, we practiced more and the im-
Recreational Release By S ophia Keins ’15
by that white winter world, and feeling energized by the ecreational skiing is adrenaline racing through me. not strictly a sport. A The skiing season did not student can go as often last as long as we all wanted it as he or she wishes‚ and even to last winter, but “rec-skiing” then, not all of the time at went along as usual. As a Berkshire East is spent skiing. relatively new skier, it was About half the time is spent exciting for me to watch the on the lift or in the lodge people trying out the sport for re-energizing with sugary the first time, slowly learning snacks. Despite its informal- how to stop and turn on the ity, recreational skiers have bunny hill. On one particular plenty of fun. With two hours Thursday afternoon, waitto go down any trail, race one ing for Mr. Brown to call us another, or go down the tertogether to get on the bus, rain park, fun is inevitable. everyone started skiing down When asked about the the bunny hill, even the more recreational skiing program, advanced skiers. The little Seamus Hawks ’15 said, “I side lift, or ‘magic carpet’ love the spontaneous nature was closed, so we all climbed of recreational skiing.” This sideways up the slope, with statement embodies the an incline so slight it doesn’t whole sport: the spontaneity really feel like an incline at of deciding to go down your all. Even the ski team joined first black diamond, standing us, and we were all laughing at the top of the trail, worried and falling. The snowboardbut breathless with exciteers were switching their ment. When you barrel down snowboards for skis, and the the mountain, with cheeks skiers switching their skis for as bright as cherry blossoms snowboards. and lungs working overtime Skiing up and climbing to bring frigid air into your down that hill that day really lungs, there is only one way sticks out in my mind because to describe skiing: a complete it was spontaneous. This rerelease. When I ski down a ally reminds me, every time, trail, I’m not thinking about that recreational skiing is that big biology test tomorrow about having fun. There is no or if I need to make my friend winning team at the end of a birthday card. In fact, I’m the day, and no loser, but on not really thinking about any- the slopes of Berkshire East, thing at all. I’m just speeding that doesn’t seem to matter. down the trail, surrounded
R
provement in our second game was clearly visible. Each game from then on got better and better. We learned that the key to basketball was not just skill, but also sportsmanship and working together as a team. We frustrated many of the other teams with our smiles and sense of fun, even when we were losing. Frequently you would hear shouts of, “It’s okay! It happens!” or “Nice try, girls!” from fellow teammates on the bench. For some games, other students would hold handmade signs and cheer us on from the bleachers. Our team’s spirit surpassed that of any of the other teams we played, and as a result we won the sportsmanship award. We made it our goal to have fun and to learn the rules of the game at the same time. In that sense, we finished the season undefeated!
Cowell's Conquerors B y R u s s e l l A l l e n ’15
B
y Academy standards, our 2011-12 boys’ basket ball team was a large one. Students from grades 8 through 12 participated, assisted by the excellent coaching and leadership skills of Alex Merrill, Humanities and English teacher. Mr. Merrill came to The Academy with five years’ experience coaching. When I asked about how he felt the season went, he replied, “It had its ups and downs, and every game seemed to be close. At times the games challenged my aortal fortitude.” These highs and lows included the crazy time we played against Hartsbrook in a church. One of the backboards there had to be taped back together when it fell apart, and any time someone stepped out of bounds they ended up in the lap of a
spectator! The high point of the season was the semifinal game of the RVAL tournament against Swift River at Cowell Gym in Shelburne Falls. More than half the school showed up to cheer us on. Eamon Wick ’12 and Jesse
Cohen ‘13 proved to be strong co-captains, and led the team with grace and style. Wick even stepped in as coach near the end of the season when Mr. Merrill had to be away. The team ended the season with a respectable record of six wins, four losses and one tie.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
AC ADEMY ATHLETES
Braving the Tartan Tam-O-Shanter
The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon Intiates New Athleticism By Annika Fische r ’13
O
n March 30, 2012 at 10:30AM, a beautiful Saturday morning at the base of Berkshire East, the peaceful mood was suddenly disrupted by a ringing bell. Forty-six runners appeared out of the light snowfall to begin the first Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon in the history of Charlemont. The Academy sent two “Tartan” teams of five, one “Tam-O-Shanter” team of two and one “Highlander Brave Heart” team of a single person. The two Tartan teams, What Has 10 Legs and No Chance of Winning and The Aardvarks, featured nine Academy students: Max Kitchell ’12, Mike Handsaker ’14, Andrew Row ’14, Marcus Gould ’15, and Annika Fischer ’13. Cassandra Bigelow ’16, Indra Rapinchuk Souccar ’16, Hannah Lessels ’14, Julian Diamond ’16, Jesse Porter-Henry and Kristian Whitsett formed the “Tam O´ Shanter” team Drouthy Neibors‚ and John Schatz, eponymous, was the only Academy Brave Heart. The “first leg” ran across the river and climbed up the steep Riddell Road into a wide field where bagpipe song welcomed them. Relieved that they had climbed the hill, the runners did not know that the worst part was yet ahead in the form of steep‚ narrow switchback trails through woods and streams, up and down the hills. Finally, after 4.75 miles of near pure cross-country, Zoar Outdoor came into sight and the runners (or a second team member in some cases) hopped on bikes to face the 23-mile bike ride up through Rowe, ending at the Zoar Gap picnic area. “It was really long and steep and every time you got to a hill they would tell you that you were
almost there, but then there’d be another hill,” said Hannah Lessels of the 19-mile uphill leg. From there, “the third leg” offered kayakers a stretch of river running up to the bridge by Mohawk Park‚ where the athletes jumped out of their boats and started running up the lower part of Berkshire East´s race trail, “Competition” to begin the skiing leg. Cheered on by the community, Jesse Porter-Henry telemarked down the 60-foot long slalom trail with integrated uphill gates and across the finish line in an overall time of 3:03:45 hours, as the first Academy finisher and fourth overall finisher. Meanwhile, former Academy parent Phil Pless, of Ashfield, did not yet know that he would save the team What Has 10 Legs and No Chance of Winning by lending his skis and boots to me, so that I could substitute for my team member. “Folks couldn´t believe I just loaned a complete stranger my gear,” Pless said, “Sure, I paid 100 dollars for the skis years ago and 10 dollars for the boots, but where was [Annika] going to go without them? As it turns out, my skis were part of two winning teams, under and over 50!” Bicyclist Marcus Gould overcame the odds following a chain entanglement and subsequent lost wheel‚ which cost him a precious seven minutes. He still completed his circuit a full 30 minutes ahead of schedule with a fantastic ride, clocking in at 1:33:07, setting the team up for a fantastic finish. With Pless´s support, team What has 10 Legs and No Chance of Winning was able to finish with a time of 3:18:16, first in their age group and 16th place overall. The next Charlemont team,
Student pentathletes at the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon. Photos by Marie Bartlett, P ’07, ’10.
The Aardvarks, finished third in their age group, with a time of 3:41:43, placing 27th overall. Academy Brave Heart John Schatz, worn out by the long solo run, bike ride, kayaking, and hill run, started the final ski. “You probably saw me racing down the hill on my butt,” he said afterwards, seemingly exhausted but proud of his time of 3:39:33, which earned him a rank of 26th. Mr. Schatz shared, “The support of the community helped me to finish the race, and the fact that all
the assets of the area were incorporated by the Pentathlon made it a unique experience for me.” Revived by wood-fired brick-oven pizza and refreshing drinks, the athletes expressed how much fun it had been to participate in the Pentathlon. “Since the five sports that were part of the race were all individual, the Pentathlon preserved the solo aspect, but at the same time the experience was enriched and shaped by the cohesive team spirit,” Jesse Porter-Henry said appreciative-
ly. Overall, the Pentathlon was a great success, offering a wonderful experience for athletes and volunteers. Celebrating the local beauty, diversity, and the wealth of challenges available to competitors across a broad array of athletic genres, the race created an extraordinary communitybuilding sporting event. We look forward to seeing what brave hearts and teams The Academy will present for next spring’s Berkshire Highlands Pentathalon.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Green Growth
Community-Supported Agriculture Partners with School
A new harvest, planted by Windy Ridge Farm of Hawley, grows in the fertile soil of The Academy’s Upper Field. Everything from chard, to pumpkins, to rutabagas, to tomatoes prove to be happy crops in the newest addition to the campus. Photos by Nora Bates Zale ’00 By E mma P icardi ’13
W
First establishing their farm on family-owned land in rural hile not yet entirely “off the Worthington in 2004, Alex Feinstein and Julia Lemieux, grid,” the Academy at Charowners of Windy Ridge Farm, relocated to Hawley in 2010. lemont is slowly but surely They now live there with their two young children. A small, moving toward a green and organic local food business, Windy Ridge works toward sustainable footprint, one rich soil of The Academy’s Up“mimicking a timeless tradicommunity-based project at per Field. tion of each generation sharing a time. Imagine, if you will, a In 2007, in collaboration with their food growing and processtime when instead of orderthe Franklin Land Trust, The ing skills with the following ing pale vegetables from some Academy purchased thirty-five generation.” The farm currently distant grower, we eat our own acres of land adjoining the cam- manages a thriving 50-member vibrant versions, handpicked pus, “ensuring that the school community-supported agridirectly from Academy gardens. will have adequate land available culture (CSA) program, while Imagine, as a student, spending to build the playing fields and attending local farmer’s markets free periods weeding instead buildings needed to support its and tending seven acres and two of reading, plucking ripe and academic and athletic programs greenhouses worth of vegetables swollen, sweet cherry tomatoes for the next hundred years.” in Hawley, Worthington, and right off the vine, and selectFour years later, that land has now Charlemont. Alex and Julia ing Halloween pumpkins from quickly become integral to daily have experimented with differour own patch to carve in the Academy life with the creation ent methods of crop production, Common Room. Seemingly of a scenic pathway winding planting heirloom vegetable improbable at first glance, this through the woods to the newly varieties, saving their harvest’s Academy daydream is closer to inaugurated Zephyr Field, as of seeds “for truly local produce,” a reality as Windy Ridge Farm June 1st, two freshly tilled acres and following a three-year crop of Hawley has planted two acres of Windy Ridge Farm’s delecrotation on their organic workof vegetables in the beautiful, table vegetables. ing farm to improve the arability
of the soil and allow the land to rest in between growing years. On the merits of organic farming, this hardworking couple says, “We believe that the health benefits of freshly harvested and organically grown local produce are immense and in an altogether different category than store bought produce.” This year in our Upper Field they are cultivating eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and squash. Julia hopes that within the coming year, Windy Ridge will be able to integrate its produce into the school's meal plan and perhaps even structure what’s grown on campus around what the school needs for lunches. Additionally, she anticipates incorporating the farm’s work into Academy classes and plans to seek out education grants for agricultural programs with the goal of teaching students how to employ their techniques in the field, including building simple, heated hoop houses for winter storage. “We do not expect to change the world,” state Alex
and Julia, “but have found that the most effective way we can improve the outcome for future generations is to teach others the skills that we possess to grow our own food. Regardless of economic, political and social climates, people need to eat. Providing this basic necessity is one of the most important skills a young person can learn.” This agricultural partnership with The Academy will, with any luck, enrich both our community and our curriculum, further helping to provide students with the comprehensive and pragmatic education offered here in Charlemont. Windy Ridge distributed their Academy-grown produce from mid-June through October this year, with CSA pick-ups at multiple locations, including one at The Academy. For more information about next year’s CSA shares and Windy Ridge Farm, visit their website and regularly updated blog at: windyridgeorganics.wordpress com.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Change and Continuity
Academy 2012 Graduation Offers Both
O By Alex Merrill
n June 2, The Academy’s 31st commencement offered an opportunity for its graduates to both look back on the finite experience of the past
and reflect on the greater spirit of The Academy, fluid in time. With a new headmaster assuming leadership of the school, the relation of constancy and change seemed to be present consciously or subconsciously in every speech and every facet of the ceremony. Interim Head of School David Perry’s keynote address focused on this topic, particularly on the frequent evolution experienced by the graduating senior class. According to Perry, these seniors found that the best way to cope with constant change “is to develop an ironic attitude about the changes and to hold fast to our core values.” Perry went on to articulate the core values of the school to which the senior class adhered, asserting, “The Academy is a school committed to the mastery of academic content, the joyful expression of creativity, and reverence for civility, community, and compassion. It’s a place where students commit themselves to the small ‘d’ democratic principles of our Honor Code and, in so doing, free themselves and each other to safely be themselves, to try on new personalities, and ultimately, like these seniors have done so well, to develop a sense of identity. As former Academy teacher Abe Loomis coined it, students here have both the structure and the freedom to ‘find their voices, and speak their minds.’ ” Perry went on to laud the graduating class for what he called their “ironic approach to change,” the product of a host of
qualities, including their maturity, playfulness, generosity, tolerance, and open-mindedness. The graduating seniors were no less creative in considering the theme of change and continuity in their Valedictory Remarks. Katja Schneider ’12 compared her experience at The Academy to baking a cake: “When I arrived in the summer of 2010‚ a small group of people started creating it, using wonderful peers, unique experiences, a new language, and many other ingredients instead of sugar, flour and eggs.” Though she did indicate that she was “glad she was able to enjoy it,” suggesting it was a cake for immediate material consumption, she also emphasized that her cake was a “masterpiece,” made to admire its “delicious smell and beautiful gold-brown crust” in timeless perpetuity. Classmate Sawyer Thompson compared the journey of the class of 2012 to Plutarch’s rendering of the Ship of Theseus. The Ship of Theseus, according to Plutarch, “had its boards replaced, one by one,” as it sailed back and forth across the Aegean, “until eventually not a single piece of the original ship remained.” Like this ship, Thompson said, his class underwent constant change but‚ he concluded, despite the corporeal shifts, “we’ve all been part of the ship that is The Academy, and we’ve all been changed for the better by the time we spent together here.” He continued: “In the end, it’s not the individual people,
Graduates of the Class of 2012 listening to speeches at commencement.
but the essence of The Academy, that ineffable sense of camaraderie, that makes it always feel like home here.” As Thompson concluded decisively, despite the paradox of change and continuity, “The Academy will always be The Academy.” Though all of the senior speeches were centered on poignant reminiscences of the past six years at The Academy, they all seemed to harness a similar transcendent spirit. Milo Farley referenced the movie National Treasure; Gracie Hall, a letter she wrote to herself from sixth grade; Nick Feld, a quotation from Mark Twain; and Ge Zhou, the hilarious form of a “break-up letter” addressed to the school. Even the traditional song
selected as a sing-along for faculty and seniors, “Ripple” by The Grateful Dead, seems to call on the exchange between continuity and change, tangible and intangible. The lyrics in all of the verses of the song suggest an inexpressible magic—in journeys, in music, in words themselves—even in the very quest for the concrete. The chorus, which provides the image of an unexplained ripple in the water, actually turns this dynamic on its head, suggesting that the concrete actually is the magic, that they are one and the same. Ultimately, this fusion seemed to define the day. Katja’s cake was meant to be both eaten and bronzed, Sawyer’s Ship of Theseus was both the same
Peter Kitchell, P'12
and not the same as its original form, the surface of the water was both rippled and still, and The Academy’s core values both producer and product of the Class of 2012. And looking around the crowd at the faces of those who had all been shaped by The Academy in some form, it was clear that no matter what distance separated those gathered there in the days to follow, all would share the spirit of courage, creativity, and communal love that The Academy offers. The audience, meditative in thought, carefully followed the words and sentiments of the speakers on that day last June, and seemed to echo back the same, even after the words stopped and the music was over.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
The GRADUATES Beatrice Bompani, of Piumazzo, Italy participated in cross country, yoga, and Ultimate Frisbee, played in the On the Road rock band, and the blues band, sang in a cappella, and took watercolor and creative writing. She had a leading part in Julius Caesar and did her senior project on teaching Italian. She has now returned to Italy to finish high school and pursue the study of languages at college. Milo Tecumseh Farley was a participant in photography, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, film studies, and metalworking and was a member of the Athletic Council. His senior project was to create a documentary about the process of applying to college. Milo was a National Merit Commended Student. He now attends Wesleyan College. Nicholas Feld enjoyed playing in numerous Academy bands, took horse riding as an independent sport, and participated in yoga and Exploring German. He enjoyed guitar restoration, riding and repairing motorcycles and motorsport vehicles, and did his senior project on rebuilding a motorcycle. He attends Assumption College.
Colin G. Grinnell took part in cross country, digital art, and Exploring Russian. He was a member of the Sustainability Council. His senior project was titled “The Effect of Silt from Hurricane Irene on Seedlings”. He now attends NYU. Sarah Grinnell was captain of girls’ varsity soccer, participated in skiing, Ultimate Frisbee, ceramics, creative writing, jewelry making, basket weaving and mosaics, and was a member of the Steering Council. She was the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding Female Athlete Award. Her senior project on ceramics was titled “A Class in Clay”. She will attend Lewis & Clark College after a gap year of travel. Tenzin Gyalpo participated in baseball, soccer, a cappella, metal shop, creative writing, and culinary arts. He was a member of the Sustainability Council. His senior project was titled “Researching Tibetan Tsampa and Investigating a Potential Business Plan.” He is now in a post-graduate year at The Academy. Grace Mari Hall was the co-captain of girls’ varsity lacrosse and soccer. She was elected Student Representative to the Board
of Trustees and was the recipient of the Smith College Book Award and the Robert Jaros Citizenship Award. She also participated in basketball, recreational skiing, creative writing, photography, the blues band and the literary magazine. She was a member of the Honor Council. The title of her senior project was “Girls Talking.” She now attends Connecticut College.
Eighth graders prepare to cross the threshold from junior school to senior school. Sustainability Council. His senior independent project was a photo essay on musicians on the road. He will attend Parsons School of Design after a gap year of travel.
He is now completing high school in Finland and will then spend a year in the Finnish army.
Graeme Sloan was the recipient of Aurie Katja Schneithe 2012 Ingrahamder, of Bad Coaches Adie took Münstereifel, Award and part in yoga, Germany, was co-captain of the varsity tennis, a spent two soccer team and the cappella, years at The Ultimate Frisbee team. He basket weaving, mosaics, Academy, and was the was the school photographer watercolor, soccer and recipient of the Zephyr Spirit and was a member of the lacrosse. She sang in chorus Award and the Mt. Holyoke Athletic Council. He wrote and was a member of both College Book Award. While his senior project on graffiti. the Honor and Community she was at The Academy she Graeme now attends Service councils. Her participated in soccer, American University. senior project was titled basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, “Helping Animals Through lacrosse, skiing, mosaics, Sawyer My Local Animal Shelter.” Exploring Italian and film Thompson She now attends The studies. She played the was the recipUniversity of New England. saxophone in the Blues, ient of the Jazz, Klez, Rock and Funk 2011 and Joseph Jurek bands. She was a member of 2012 participated the Athletic Council. Katja Academic Honor Awards. in lacrosse, built a raft and traveled the He enjoyed Ultimate tennis, film Connecticut River as part of Frisbee, photography, studies, metal her exploration of the role of gymnastics, and soccer, and shop and was the river in American was a member of the Honor a member of both the literature for her senior Council. His senior project Athletic and Community project. She has returned to was on video game Service Councils. He wrote a Germany for two more years programming. Sawyer was a screenplay about politics in of high school and then will National Merit semifinalist, Republican Rome for his attend college. and now attends Brown senior project. Joe now University. attends Greenfield CommuMiikka nity College. Henrik Sipilä Abigail of Oulu, Weems Max J. Finland, participated Kitchell participated in tennis, participated in soccer, Ultimate in whitewater Ultimate Frisbee, snowFrisbee, kayaking, boarding, visual studies, visual studies, mosaics, varsity drawing, painting and watercolor and drawing and soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Exploring Russian. He was a member of the jewelry making, large metal participated in two Steering Council. She wrote fabrication and assorted short-term exchanges at her senior project on fashion choirs. He was co-founder of high schools in New York design. Abby will attend Chess Club and a member of and Honolulu. He wrote his Massachusetts College of the Athletic Council and the senior project on Hawaii. Art and Design after a gap
year in clothing retail and performing as a guitarist, singer and songwriter in the all-girl band Potty Mouth. Eamon Wick was the recipient of the Zephyr Spirit Award, the Music Award, and the Junior Academic Honor Award. While at The Academy he participated in basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, drawing, funk band, klez band, jazz band, rock band, songwriting and recording. He was a member of the Community Service Council. Eamon’s senior independent project was to build an Academy recording studio. Eamon was a National Merit Commended Student. He now attends Tufts University. Ge Zhou, of JiNan, China, spent two years at The Academy. She participated in soccer, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, basket weaving, watercolor, painting, ceramics, and mosaics. She was a member of the Community Service and Honor councils. Her senior independent project was a redesign plan for Burrington, an iconic campus building. Ge now attends The Virginia Institute of Technology School of Architecture.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
2011 – 2012 ANNUAL GIVING
T
he Academy at Charlemont gratefully recognizes the following donors who made voluntary contributions during the 2011-2012 fiscal year (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012). Donors are listed in these categories: Headmaster’s Circle ($5,000 and above), Founders’ Society ($2,500 - $4,999), Charlemont Society ($1,000 - $2,499), Patrons ($500 - $999), Scholars, ($100 - $499), and Friends (up to $99). Headmaster’s Circle Anonymous (3) The Donald C. Brace Foundation David, ‘87 and Angela Epstein Bill Grinnell, P'12 Stuart Mieher, P'13 and '15 Bo, ‘90 and Katherine Peabody Cornelia and Wallis Reid, P'01
Founders’ Society Kerlin Conyngham Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom, P'14 Sarah and Mark McKusick, P'07, '10 Herman and Lenore Rottenberg Foundation Missy and David Wick, P'12
Charlemont Society Jeffrey and Jeanne Barron, P'13 Joan and Edgardo Bianchi, P'09 Verne and Gail Bissell Frederick Cowan and Richard Gardner Rarie Dy Peter Engelman and Kendall Clark, P’13, '15 Bodo and Ingrid Fischer, P'13 Daniel Goleman, GP'17 Mr. and Mrs. Edmond B. Greene, GP'14 James Hardigg Hartford Foundation for Public Giving David and Margaret Howland Christine McCormick and David Scherer, P'15 Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson, P'09, '12 Monica Pulci and Daniel Delesdernier, P'15, '16 Stephanie and David Purington, P'11, '14 Mary Quigley and Mollie Babize, P'06 Grace Rapinchuk Charitable Foundation Ronnie Rom and Donald Frank, P'13 Heather and Peter Row, P'14 Jaka ’90 and Gadi Saarony Kerstin and Klaus Schneider, P'12 Janice Sorensen and Michael Hoberman, P'13 Gerhard and Ute Stebich, P'88 Martha and Ted Tirk, P'07 Elinor Todd ’93 and Michael Beach Phoebe Walker and Dennis West, 'P17 Sara Wein and Neal Anderson, P'16 Eamon Wick, ‘12 Marguerite Willis Beverley and Robert Yoon, P'08, '10
Patrons Anonymous Glenn and Heidi Arnold, P'13 Mary Averill, P'13, '15 John Baldwin and Martha Ballou Baldwin George and Harriet Baldwin William and Priscilla Chester, GP'07, '10 Mr. and Mrs. David Clark Jr., GP'13, '15 Nathaniel Cohen and Jody DeMatteo, P'13 John and Lou Conyngham Joan Coryat and Art Silver, P'17 Andrea Dean, GP'13 Leanne and Ed Dowd, P'13 Leslie Ferrin, P'12, '14 Eric and Dianne Grinnell Bob and Cheryl Handsaker, P'14 Lisa Harvey and Jonathan Ginzberg, P'14 Winston Healy William and Eleanor Hutchinson, GP'12 Dorothy Johnson, GP'15 Deborah Johnson-Hawks and Sally Freeman-Hawks, P'15 Deborah and Gregory Jurek, P'12 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kittler, Jr. Michael Lioce Jr., GP'15 Sally Loomis and Paul Jahnige, P'16 Rachel Merrell Mr. and Mrs. Homer Perkins, P'15 Candice Reffe and Ed Hogan, P'13 Karen and Jonathan Rehmus, P'10, '14 Deborah and Robert Shriver, P'03 Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior, P'04 S. Richard and Susan Todd, P'85, '89, '93 Robert and Lana Westgate, GP'15
Scholars Elizabeth Adams David Adie, P'08, '12 Mr. and Mrs. Allan D. Adie, Sr., GP'08, '12 Cynthia and Shawn Allen, P'13, '15 Diane and Ken Bigelow, P'14, '16 Milka Burstein, GP'09, '13 Glenn and Colleen Caffery, P'06, '08 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell, GP'13, '15 Penfield Chester and Lesley Pollitt Paul Cohen, GP'13 Michael Cohen and Chia Collins
Loren Cole and Jason Cooper, P'08 Carlotta Crissey Chandler Drs. Sean ’90 and Jessica Dacus Jayne and Robert Dane Linda Driscoll and Nelson Shifflett, P'90 Ellen and Michael Feld, P'12 June Ferrin, GP'12, '14 Donald and Margaret Freeman Obediah and Joan Gibson, P'90 Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg, ’08 Elizabeth Goodbody Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gould, GP'15 Jane and Stephen Grant, P'92, '94, '96 Charles Grant, ’92 Diane and Ned Gray, P'16 Ana Maria Harkins and Jonathan Secor, P'16 Hobart M. Harvey and Kim Maskell Donald and Patricia Henderson John Henry and Deb Porter Tamra and William Hersh, P'15 Jane Hovde Mary Irwin and Jack Harrison, P'11 Bob and Sherell Jacobson, GP'14 Peter A. Jaros ’04 and Anna Leue ’02 David Jaros ’90 and Kate Rabb Greg Kendall and Connie White, P'13 Jerry Levine and Julie McCarthy Julie Lineberger and Joseph Cincotta, P'04, '08 Jampa Lobsang, P'11 Kate Marmaras Sabine and Michael Mauri Kathleen McEnerney Stephen F. Mershon Mary L. Meryman, GP'09, '12 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meyer Jean and Lynn Miller, GP'13 Craig Miller, P'13 Irene Montague, GP'10, '15 Samar and Gabriel Moushabeck, P'14 Elizabeth Muraro Hague ’90 and Scott Hague Mr. and Mrs. James Natsios, GP'10, '14 Hannah Niswonger ’90 and Philip Wickline ’91 Gary and Deborah Niswonger, P'90, '92 Katherine Nylen, P'93 Gina and Liam O'Brien, P'17 Kate O'Brien, GP'17 Katharine Overgaard, ’06 Sal and Ann Pace, GP'15 Charles Parham and Roxanne Schneider, P'11 Karen Parmett ’86 and Barak Barnoon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peardon, Jr.
Deborah Phillips, P'07, '09 Zoe Plakias, ’04 Hazel Porter Richard and Mary Potter, P'84, '00 Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ramey Tanya Rapinchuk and Kamal Souccar, P'10, '16 Sue Reed Simon Reid ‘01 Donald and Molly Robinson, GP'16 Donald Rosenfeld Robert Rottenberg and Rachel Cohen Rottenberg, P'93, '11 Conrad and Shirley Rouleau Charles Savage Glenn Seberg The Reverend Neale Secor, GP'16 Josephine Shaw, GP'15 Rachel Simpson and Chris Hellman, P'17 Lisa Slocum and Chip Weems, P'12 Elizabeth Slowinski,’98 Wilder Snodgrass, GP'17 Janet Steele, GP'12, '14 Janis Steele and Brooks McCutchen, P'16 Peter Stevens and Linn Bower Lisa Styles and Larry Parnass, P'04, '07 Ketesah A. Surgies Trudeau, ’99 Kipp ’90 and Esterlina Sutton Vicki Sutton, GP'90 Linda Taylor and Philip Pless, P'09 Emily Todd ’89 and Liam Harte Robert and Del Viarengo Sandra Warren and Jim Locke Guy and Deb Wheeler, P'97 Marjorie L. Winfrey,’98 Roberta and Jamie Wooldridge, P'15 Masako Yanagita Bettie and Steve ZakonAnderson, P'17 Ellen and Peter Zale, P'00, '06 Peter and Melanie Zschau
Friends Doris Alexander, GP'09 Kim Alexander Jack and Patty Arbuckle Carolyn Asbury and Peter Ranney, P'06 Peter Atkinson and Judith Wermuth Isaac Baker ’10 Tamara Barbasch and Brian Moriarty, P'11 Shelley Barnett Treyz ’90 Addison Barron ’13 Dave and Polly Bartlett, GP'07, '10 Beatrice Bompani ’12 Shane Brenizer and Cynthia McLaughlin, P'17
Thomas Brown and Deborah Felix, P'11, '16 Patricia Brown, GP'14 Ericka Burgin ’07 Horace and Shirley Burrington Celia Caffery ’08 Jaslyn Cincotta ’04 Rebecca Cooper ’08 Pamela Cothey Creative Concepts, Inc. Elizabeth and Jason Dirks, P'14 Stephen Earp and Cynthia Snow, P'16 Milo Farley ’12 Nicholas Feld ’12 Herbert and Christine Forgey, P'01 Donald and Margaret Freeman Charles Fusco, GP'06, '08 Virginia Gabert ’84 David Gagnon and Shelley Dresser, P'07 Molly Gayton Wendy and Christopher Giard Fred Goldberg and Roberta Jaffe, P'06 Erica and Govinddass Goleman, P'17 Marianne Grey Sarah Grinnell ’12 Tenzin Gyalpo ’12 Thomas L. Hale, P'05 Grace Hall ’12 Mr. and Mrs. James Harkins, GP'16 John Harrison ’11 Nancy Henderson and Peter Adams Susannah Herron Aurie Ingraham-Adie ’12 Devon Ingraham-Adie ’08 Allen and Ann Irvine Liz and Matt Jacobson-Carroll, P'14 Rita Jaros and Wes Talley Jenny Jaros Friedl ’88 and Lawrence Friedl Joseph Jurek’12 Dorothy Keddy, GP'16 William and Susan Kincade Max Kitchell ’12 Zachary Kolodin ’03 Harold and Jeanette Kozupsky Edward and Christina Krutsky, P'88, '91 Rebecca Krutsky Moraes ’91 Kate and Roland Lapierre, P'09 Eleanor Lazarus Elisabeth Leete Jon and Andrea Lynes Robert Mahler and Lisa Enzer, P'00 Judith Maloney, P'91 Douglas Mason and Nina Marshall Marion McCloud, GP'02 Mr. and Mrs. Leighton McCutchen, GP'16, 17 Abel McDonnell ’03 Gerard and Brenda McGovern, P'07 William Melnick ’10 Alex and Alexa Merrill Kurt Meyer, P '11, '14, '16 Robert and Judy Oakes, P'98 Ken and Carol O'Brien, P'03 Timothy O'Brien ’03
Taylor Parham ’11 Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Parisky, GP'15, '17 Alice Parker Richard and Elaine Parmett, P'86, '88 Maggie Perkins ’89 Grace Phillips ’07 Jim Picardi, P'13 Pieropan Christmas Tree Farm Ryan Pirtle-McVeigh ’03 Katy Purington ’11 Elizabeth Purnell Danette Reynolds-Gallaghar and Robert Gallaghar, P'16 Jennifer Rizzi and Alfred Mitchell Susan Samoriski Brooke S. Savage ’02 John Schatz Katja Schneider ’12 Gloria Schuster Margaret Seiler and Leonard Melnick, P'10 Jill and Victoria Selleck, P'13, '15 Patricia Serrentino and Alexander Haro, P'11 Laura Sheridan, P'17 Miikka Sipila ’12 Graeme Sloan ’12 Hannah Smith ’06 David Specht and Clare Pearson Hunter P. Styles ’04 Eric and Mary Sumner Rachel A. Sumner ’04 Rick Taupier and Beth Haggerty, P'03, '05 Richard and Judy Thompson, GP'15 Sawyer Thompson ’12 Nathan Tirk '07 Susan and Charles Titus Virginia Turin, GP'12 Elisa M. van de Kamp ’03 Danica Vogt ’08 Abigail Weems ’12 Willow Westwood ’11 Priscilla White, P'86 Bob and Sandy White Leah Wiedmann Gailey ’93 Joan Wilson, P'82 Edwin Wolf Mary Wyckoff, GP'15 Christopher Yoon, ’08 Nora, ’00 and Synphany Bates Zale Ge Zhou ’12
The Academy is honored to have been the recipient of the following honorary and special gifts during the year: Matching Gifts Calloway Golf Company Foundation Eileen Fisher Inc. GE Foundation MassMutual Matching Gift Program Select Equity Group Foundation
Gifts to the Genie Zeiger Creative Writing Program Bill Ennen Ann McNelly Andy and Nancy Smith Prudence Wholey
Gifts to Support Zephyr Field Brian and Joan Atchinson Joan and Edgardo Bianchi David O. Burbank John Coville Margaret. Coville Beth deSousa Marc Fromm and Beth Sperry John Henry and Deb Porter Sarah and Mark McKusick Allen Meadows Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson Jerome Noonan Charles Parham and Roxanne Schneider Jesse Porter-Henry and Amy Scully Patricia Rapinchuk Tanya Rapinchuk and Kamal Souccar Rapinchuk Foundation Robinson Donovan, P.C. Robert Rottenberg and Rachel Cohen Rottenberg Margaret Seiler and Leonard Melnick Janice Sorensen and Michael Hoberman Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior Mark Tagg Douglas Telling Martha and Ted Tirk Dorothy Varon Barbara and Harold Westwood In Memory of Elizabeth DeLesdernier Edward and Leanne Dowd In Memory of Liz Hobbs Larry and Susan Flaccus In Memory of Zephyr Rapinchuk, '10 Alex Haro and Patricia Serrentino
Gifts to the Jane Grant Honor Council Award Fund Hannah Blacksin Virginia Brooks Ericka Burgin David and Angela Epstein Julia G. Fraker Virginia Gabert David Grant Devon Ingraham-Adie David Jaros and Kate Rabb Jenny Jaros Friedl and Lawrence Friedl Simon MacLean and Jessica Striebel MacLean Bartholomew Niswonger and Eliza Lake Cassie Nylen Gray Sienna Patti Zoe Plakias David and Lori Rees Wesley Rosner Oliver and Toni Stebich Kipp and Esterlina Sutton Madeline Thompson Emily Todd and Liam Harte Ms.Yangchen Tsemtso Sithir Amy H. Waterman Mason and Josh Mason Leah Wiedmann Gailey and Christopher Gailey
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
2011 – 2012 ANNUAL GIVING Gifts to the Senior Legacy Fund in honor of the Class of 2012 Rarie Dye Ellen and Michael Feld William and Eleanor Hutchinson Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson Lisa Slocum and Chip Weems Janet Steele Missy and David Wick
Gifts in Kind Cynthia Allen Joseph and Marcy Caldwell Nancy Edwards Kendall Clark and Peter Engleman Cummington Supply Doug and Jodi Dean and Family, Mile Long Farm David Epstein Jean Esser Denny Fuller Attorney Dan Graves, Curtiss, Carey, Gates, Graves and Goodridge, LLP Ned Gray Tenzin Gyalpo Susan Jablon Mosaics, LLC Frances Joy Gayle Kabaker Sarah and Mark McKusick Eric Overgaard Jeff Potter, Potter Publishing Karen and Jonathan Cornelia Reid Signature Sounds
Special Event Support 2011 Cornucopia Auction, Special Thanks: Doug Wilkins, Auctioneer Underwriters: Peoples United Bank Borawski Insurance Florence Savings Bank Fosters Market The Recorder Sessions Auto Repair West County Equipment Rentals Whorle’s Foods, Inc. Zoar Outdoor
2011 Cornucopia Auction Donors Academy at Charlemont Students and Faculty Alan Young Albert Pieropan Alice Parker Alina's Ristorante Amherst Cinema Amy Louise Pfeffer and Michael Sola, P‘15 Andrea Keins, P '15 and Vera Maitinsky, GP'15 Anna Rice
Ashfield Hardware Barbara Cover Berkshire East Ski Resort Berkshire Outfitters Berkshire Theatre Festival Bettie Zakon-Anderson, P'17 Beverley and Robert Yoon, P'08 & '10 Bill and Olivia Blumer Bittersweet Herb Farm Blackberry Road Lighting Design Bob and Cheryl Handsaker, P'14 Bob and Danette Gallagher, P'16 Bread Euphoria Candice Reffe, P'13 Carol Purington Charlene & James Neeley, P'13 & '15 Charles Parham and Roxy Schneider, P'11 Cheryl Case Chez Albert Chris Davis Christy Knox, P'14 Clare Pearson Clark Art Institute Community YMCA of Greenfield Crabapple Whitewater, Inc. Cummington Supply Cynthia Allen, P'13 & '15 Dan Zulawski Dana Blackburn & Jonathan Diamond, P'17 Daniel Brown David Adie, P'12 & '08 Deanna Scarfe, P'17 Deb Hoyle, P'05 Deborah McCutcheon, P'17 Diane Bigelow, P'14 & '16 Double Edge Theatre East Heaven Hot Tubs and Paradise Spa Ed & Jody Cothey Eliakim Simpson Elizabeth Delesdernier Elizabeth Purington, Class of 2014 Ellen and Peter Zale, P'00 & '06 Ellen Feld, P'12 Elmer's Store Frances Joy Gerhard Stebich, P'88 Green Street Café Greenfield Cooperative Bank Greenfield Imported Cars Hana Rosol Hancock Shaker Village Hand & Paw Animal Massage Hannah Lessels, '14 Helen Haddad Hilltown 6 Potters Honora Winery and Vineyard Jacqueline Cashin James Manwell, P'14 Jane Grant, P'92 & '96 Janice Sorenson & Michael Hoberman, P’09 & '13 Janis Steele and Brooks McCutcheon, P'16
Jayne and Robert Dane, Heath Brook Studios Jesse Rasid Jim Manwell and Joanne Levenson, P'14 Johanna Anderson-Pratt, P'06 Jonathan Ginzberg, P'12 & '14 Jonathan Secor, P'16 Judy Thompson, GP'15 June Ferrin, GP'12 & '14 Kalli Babione, P'15 Karin Muller, P'14 Katherine Anderson, '16 Kathleen O'Rourke Kathy Shaw, P'15 Katja Schneider, '12 Katryna Nields Ken and Ethel Kipen Ken Bigelow, P'14 & '16 Kendall Clark and Peter Engelman, P'15 & '13 Kurt Meyers, P'11, '14, '16 Leslie Ferrin, P'12 & '14 and Oliver Stebich, '88 Lin Bower Linda Taylor and Phil Pless, P'08 Lisa Littwin Luna Park Marie Bartlett, P'07 & '10 Mark Shapiro, P'15 Martina Rehmus,'14 Mary Lou Lowe Mass MOCA Meb's Kitchenware Michael Hoberman, P'09 & '13 Mike and Tony's Pizzeria at The Green Emporium Mohawk Trail Concerts, Inc. Molly Cantor Pottery Mo's Fudge Factor Nat Cohen, P'13 New England Cheesemaking Supply Nicole Yezierski Ada Jacobson-Carroll '17 Noah Jacobson-Carroll '14 Pamela Schlegel Peggy Davis Calligraphy Peter Barnett, P'90 Peter Engelman, P'13 & '15 Peter Sloan, P'12 & '14 Phyllis Kirkpatrick, P'86 Phyllis Sherman Pothole Pictures Rachel Merrell Robert Merriam Roxanne Parent Sally Loomis, P'16 Samantha Hersh, '15 Samar & Gabriel Moushabeck, P'14 Sandy Bigelow Mazzella Sara Wein, P'16 Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters Shelburne Falls Wine Merchant Shelburne Falls Yoga Sheldon Snodgrass, P'17 Sidehill Farm Snack Taxi Stephen Earp, P'16
Storey Publishing Suzanne deLesdernier Sweet Bananaberry The Hersh Family, P'15 The Jacobson-Carroll Family, P'14 & '17 The Purington Family, P'11 & '14 Tom McCrumm and Judy Haupt, P'97 Tregellys Farm Vicki Selleck, P'13 & '17 Walter Cudnohufsky William Hutchinson, GP'12 Zoar Outdoor
2012 Benefit Concert, Special Thanks: The Sweetback Sisters Jim Olsen and Signature Sounds Dave Chalfant, and The Academy’s own On The Road Memorial Hall Jayce DiSantis Plants for Pleasure Gayle Kabaker Patricia Donohue Heidi Arnold Diane and Ken Bigelow Liz Jacobson-Carroll Sally Loomis and Paul Jahnige Sara Wein and Neal Anderson, Raffle Donors: Brick Oven Bistro Green River Festival/ Signature Sounds Patricia Donohue, P’11, ‘14, ‘16 Teatown Cellars, Peter Sloan P'12, P'14 Tuckaway Farm/Trasimeno Olive Oil, Amy-Louise Pfeffer and Mike Sola, P'15 Zoar Outdoor, Karen Blom and Bruce Lessels, P'14
The Charlemont Legacy Society The following generous donors have notified us of their planned giving intentions: Anonymous Carlotta Crissey Chandler Loren Cole and Jason Cooper Jayne and Robert Dane Don and Marilyn Freeman Eric ad Dianne Grinnell Russell and Mary Henne * Ernest Hofer * John William Hoth * John Brace Latham * Elisabeth B. Leete* Mrs. Rolf Merton Todd Sumner *deceased
These listings are based on gifts recorded as of June 30, 2012. We regret any errors or omissions, and welcome notification thereof.
The Academy’s 2012-2013 Annual Fund campaign is under way. We are grateful for the support of alumni, families and friends, and we rely on your generosity to sustain our programs. We look forward to hearing from you. Donations can be made by mail or securely online at www.charlemont.org. Thank you for supporting The Academy at Charlemont.
GIVING TO T HE AC ADEMY Types of Giving ANNUA L GI V I N G • The Academy relies on the generous, annual support of our community of alumni, parents, families and friends to sustain our programs. Annual Giving supports all of the Academy’s programs, including financial aid. L E G AC Y G I V I N G • An investment in The Academy at Charlemont through a bequest provision or any other planned gift vehicle is a meaningful contribution that demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in the mission and value of an Academy education. Common forms of legacy giving include: • A bequest of cash, stock, personal or real property via a will, or beneficiary giving via a trust, retirement plan, or life insurance • Life income plans such as a Charitable Gift Annuity • Charitable Remainder Trust Donors are encouraged to discuss their charitable giving plans and needs with their own financial and legal advisors. Our Development Office welcomes inquires and notification of intent in matters of legacy giving. RESTRICTED GIFTS • Restricted gifts are those that are designated for specific capital projects or programs. Please contact our Development Office for more information. ENDOW MEN T G I FT S • Endowment gifts are permanently restricted to support the Academy’s programs, including but not limited to financial aid, and help sustain the Academy over the long term.
Ways to Give The Academy accepts gifts by check, money order or AmEx/MasterCard/Visa and gifts of appreciated securities. ONLINE GIFT S • Please visit www.charlemont.org to make a secure online gift with a credit card. Online gift processing is available for onetime or recurring gifts. RECURRING G I FT S • The Academy can process a recurring monthly gift with credit card information from the donor, either online as above or manually with the donor’s signature on file. Donors may indicate the beginning and end date of the pledge. M AT C H I N G G I F T S • Many companies match or multiply charitable contributions made by their employees. Be sure to check with your personnel office about your company’s matching gift policy, and please provide our development office with necessary forms in order to maximize your support for the Academy. P L E D G E S • Donors may make pledges to the Annual Fund. Pledges must be paid by June 30th, the end of the fiscal year. GIFTS OF A PPR E CI AT E D SE CUR I T I E S • To make a gift of stock to The Academy, please have your broker contact the Academy’s Business Office for instructions about transferring the shares directly to our brokerage account. Stock gifts to the Academy are tax deductible. G I F T S B Y M A I L • You may mail your gift to us at: The Academy at Charlemont Development Office, The Mohawk Trail, 1359 Route 2, Charlemont, MA 01339
For more information about giving to The Academy at Charlemont, please contact the Development Office at the address above. You may reach us by phone at 413-339-4912 or by email at developmentoffice@charlemont.org.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
2011 – 2012 ANNUAL GIVING
Why I Support The Academy By Dav id Adi e
A
ny school can teach a smart student to get good grades. It takes a very special school to educate and nurture teenagers as they become caring and mature
young adults. The Academy at Charlemont has provided my children with an incredible educational experience in the classroom and in the community at large. The experience of being a senior at The Academy is unique, and it contributed enormously to their development. The senior year teaches students the importance of giving back, and gives them opportunities to grow as leaders and role models, serve their community, and integrate honor and civility into their daily lives. My two children have different personalities and learn in two completely different ways. The Academy met their needs and helped make them the bright, compassionate and responsible people they are today. What more could a parent ask for? Over the past eight years I have attended and volunteered at many Academy events. For this investment of time, the return has been extraordinary. I have worked with and met incredibly kind, generous and brilliant people for whom there was never any ego involved. It was all about the giving, the helping to make something good happen. For me, working with people makes it easier to get to know them. I would never have made such wonderful friends if I hadn’t volunteered at
various Academy functions. I have a hard time asking people to do things, but I know what I can do. For example, I am not a pie maker, but I can give my time to sell pies. And I am but one of many parents that have given generously of their time to the Academy, in addition to financial support. If everyone gives a little, it adds up to a lot. Every minute and every dollar count. From when I first started volunteering, I felt at home at The Academy, in much the same way that my children do. I loved sweeping the Common Room floor, helping at the Book Sale, working at Grandparent’s Day, concerts and numerous other events. No matter how much I have given, I have always received more in return. I am indebted to Academy staff and fellow parents for what they have done for the school and for my own children. Giving of my time and stretching to support this wonderful school is my small way of saying “Thank You” to The Academy at Charlemont. It is the place where my children have grown up; it is where I have seen them “find their voices and speak their minds”—and as such, it has made my own life that much more rewarding. I am so grateful.
From when I first started volunteering, I felt at home at The Academy, in much the same way that my children do. I loved sweeping the Common Room floor, helping at the Book Sale, working at Grandparent’s Day, concerts and numerous other events. David Adie was presented with The Will Sparks Award at Commencement 2012. The Will Sparks Award is given in recognition of an adult in the community who has given selflessly and quietly of their time and talent to advance the school’s mission.
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
C LASS N OT E S
1984 Virginia Gabert writes: "I have now worked for the Town of Hawley for more than 20 years! This past year was the most difficult, since the town was decimated by Tropical Storm Irene and the aftermath of storm damage recovery. Then one of the original Selectmen who hired me back in 1991 passed away, so we are trying to make it through the rest of the year being underrepresented. Nevertheless, I very much enjoy the community in this area. Clearly I have become a bit of a workaholic. I also continue to work at Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital, Working K9 Services, and the Bernardston Fire and Water District. I continue to thank The Academy for enticing me to western Massachusetts.
1986
Rob Green writes: "I’ve just become the Executive Producer of the new Huffington Post live streaming network, launched in July 2012. I’ll
be programming 4 hours a day of live programming. Should be fun! Otherwise, I’m living in LA, following my wife around the world, raising two children, Zed 6 and Violet 8, and going to Truro in august for some Massachusetts R and R!"
1988
Jenny Jaros Friedl writes: "We’re still in Arlington, VA, where I am Mom to Porter (4 and a half) and twins Tyler and Linden (2). It was a rough go of it with the twins in the beginning (like the first 18 months, really) but we are finally on solid ground and everyone is happy and healthy and thriving. The kiddos are so much fun Ty and Lindy are starting to talk and everyone is playing together (mostly). Porter is a fount of knowledge and he tells me fun facts every day, such as “did you know that before caterpillars become butterflies they first go into a raccoon?” I must have missed that day in entomology class!"
The Jaros-Friedl Family
1990 Dave Jaros is still law professing in Baltimore. When he isn’t enjoying the humidity with his wife, Kate, and six year-old Molly and Sam, he spends his time staring at the phone wishing his friends from the Academy would call. Sigh.
1994
Katy Allis-Paredes writes: "I am still in Sevierville, TN with my family-- Husband Walter and son Justus. I am working as an in-home instructor with migrant agricultural families and gong to school for my Master’s degree in teaching. We are always busy and do not get much time for recreation, but we did participate in a hike during Wilderness Wildlife week in January of this year and we got to go to Dollywood for Christmas when my mother came down to visit. Little Justus is 18 months old and keeps us on our feet and entertained. He will celebrate his second birthday in October. We have not had an opportunity to get back up to the Academy in a long time, but keep loosely in touch with Jason and Ives on Facebook."
1997
Jed Haupt recently got engaged to Jennifer Severski, who he met on a camping trip to the Maroon Bells in Colorado. In addition, they are navigating the home-buying rollercoaster in Colorado Springs. Jed will also be stepping into the Middle School Head position at the McClelland School in Pueblo, where he has been teaching history and geography for the past three years.
1999
This year, Wilder Sparks set in motion his plan to build the world’s first recording studio/white pineapple farm. Also, he’s getting married in December. David and Lori Rees ’85 and their boys recently vacationed in Maui. The island in the background is Molokini. Matthew is driving the boat; Jackson is the passenger.
Katy Allis-Paredes with her son, Justus. in January 2012.
2000 Nora Bates Zale is living in Heath with her wife Synphany, their dog Beignet and cat Cassius. She writes this with her very own typing fingers as she does the layout for the Vox, which is one of many joyous tasks she now does at The Academy, including work in Admissions, Marketing, and Development, heading up a new Social Justice Council, teaching mosaics, advising the 7th grade, and mingling nostalgia with new adventures. Come and visit, alums! Aethena Enzer-Mahler is still happily living in Northampton and in addition to working and living, now plays roller derby under the name: Artichoke Heartless.
2001
Maya Rocke is still living on New Hampshire’s seacoast, working on finishing her Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She graduated this September and hopes to find employment with a medical or rehabilitation facility. Simon Reid is currently an English teacher in Moscow, working at a posh private school for the unwholesome spawn of former Soviet oligarchs. His responsibilities include yelling at children, avoiding the security guards, “keeping his papers in order”, wiping noses,
Sarah Peck Morrison and Sean Morrison padding his resumé, pondering the value of the Ruble, worrying about his visa, and scouring the city for a decent Thai restaurant.
2002 Yangchen Tsemtso Sithir writes: "My most exciting news is returning to Tibet! I returned from Tibet (Lhasa) in May after visiting for over a month. I had not been back since I left Tibet in 1994. I had a great visit and was able to see many of my family members. I am currently living in Greenfield, MA and working as program coordinator at the United Arc. I graduated from Springfield College in December 2011 with a Masters Degree in Social Work."
2003
Kate (Branson) Savich writes: "I teach a 2nd/ 3rd grade multiage class in Indianapolis at a progressive public charter school. I enjoy incorporating elements of life in the country into my urban teaching. This year I have coordinated my students to adopt and care for chickens on the school yard."
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
Sarah Peck Morrison writes: "Sean & I married on September 24th, 2011 in Greenfield and had a beautiful reception at the Warfield House in Charlemont. We are adjusting to married life (although it doesn’t seem that different) and still loving Boston. Sean has joined the line at Lumiere, a restaurant with a strong commitment to local & sustainable ingredients. It’s a step back into his classical training and his passion for great food. I am still happily working for Marriott while trying to figure out what my future holds. In March of this year, my father passed away from a battle with melanoma cancer. It’s been a tough couple of months since, but having my fantastic husband and family by my side has made the burden a little lighter. Thank you to all who were in touch, it meant a lot to hear from you. We’re looking forward to what the next year brings us!"" Todd Whitney writes: "I’m still in Vermont, still a nerd, and still working with computers."
2004
Gretchen Eisenman recently received her MA in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College of London. She is currently living in Las Vegas, NV and working behind the scenes on “Le Reve - The Dream,” a major theatrical production at Wynn Resort. Zoë Plakias is finishing up her second year in a PhD program in Agricultural and Resource Economics in Davis, California.
She’s looking forward to an exciting summer, during which she plans to get officially hitched(!) to her best friend Daniel, take (and pass) her preliminary exams, and maybe sneak in a hike or two! She sends greetings to all the Academy folks, past and present. Hunter Styles is working in Washington DC as a theatre critic, playwright, and director. He is the Digital Media Manager at The Studio Theatre. He also helps to teach weekly Tae Kwon Do classes in the U St neighborhood with fellow AAC alum Caleb Ward. This spring he became a DC correspondent for the national arts magazine American Theatre and received a nomination for Outstanding Direction from DC’s Helen Hayes Awards. Rachel Sumner writes: "Now at the end of my second year of graduate school, I’m still enjoying life in Ithaca (with occasional trips to New York City for dinner/ dance-offs with Julie Fraker, Sarah Hartshorne, and Katie Overgaard). Also, I’m not sure which of these I’m more excited about, but I was recently awarded a National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship and I plan on adopting a dog this fall."
2006
Katie Overgaard writes: "I’ve been living in North Brooklyn for two years, first in East Williamsburg and now in Bushwick - incidentally, with Julie Fraker (‘04)! Shortly after I arrived in NYC, I began work-
ing at an established art gallery in Manhattan that works with postwar and Contemporary art; after a six-month-or-so (mostly unpaid) internship, I became Gallery Director. In my case, this means managing day-to-day gallery operations, graphic design and branding, transportation of artworks to and from clients, installation of artworks at our two gallery locations (in Midtown and Chelsea), correspondence with clients and other gallerists, and sales at both the gallery and art fairs around the world.... It’s a very Academy-esque operation – no job too big or small. I’ll be heading to Chicago in September, London in October, and Miami in December for fairs, following a fair to Dallas and a local fair in New York earlier this spring. Outside of work, which occupies a lot of my time and brain, I’ve been biking a lot (to and from work, around the town) and trying to enjoy patches of nature around the city. I’m looking forward to a long weekend or two back in the Valley this summer for some good, old fashioned country livin’!"
2007
Katie Alford writes: "I graduated from Beloit College in May, 2011. I will be enrolling in Indiana University’s PhD in English Literature program come August. In the meantime, I am living in Louisville, KY, working as a server at two restaurants." Meredith (Williams) Sokol writes: "My husband and I are coming up on our 2nd anniversary. I am also on my way to getting my pilot’s license (as soon as I get the funds together)!"
2010
Chris Yoon '08 and his parents at his graduation from Champlain College in May, 2012.
MEMO RY LANE
Jeannie Bartlett writes: "I’m very happy in my first year at Middlebury College. I’m planning on being an Environmental Studies/ Biology major, and I’m involved in a group trying to get the college’s endowment invested in a way that is more in line with the school’s mission. It was fun being at school together with Isaac Baker this fall, and I’m looking forward to having both him and Clare here next fall. This summer I’ll be raft-guiding at Zoar again, with Rosie Marsters and Sophie Rehmus, and doing
Yo, yo, yo—or, in Latin, Oi, oi, oi! Eric Grinnell hails from the mean streets of Heath in this photo taken circa 2000. Mr. Grinnell is flanked by Glen Sawyer ’06 and Jackie Drakulich ’05. For more great blasts from the past, visit The Academy’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ academyatcharlemont. part-time research on the Deerfield River!" Becka Walsh writes: "I have earned my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts: Math/ Science. I’m going to be attending Smith next fall, and I’ll be studying chemistry."
2011
Mackenzie Brown writes: "I’m currently double majoring in Child Development and English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, with a minor in Education. I’m on the women’s lacrosse team at Whittier College as well. Next year, I’ll be applying to study abroad in Denmark for the Fall 2013 semester where I will hopefully go through the Danish Institute (DIS) program with a focus on Child Development for Children with Special Needs." Katy Purington writes: "I am participating in an archaeological dig with Academy Latin and
Humanities teacher Molly Gayton. (Ms. Gayton has spent multiple summers on this dig, which is in a small town near the city of Orvieto, in Umbria, Italy.) Professor David George of Saint Anselm College leads the dig. The site was at various times an Etruscan water temple, a Roman bath house, a medieval site, and a modern agricultural field. On the site, we have found a Roman road, a few intact portions of the Roman bath house, and a jumble of Medieval, Roman, and Etruscan walls. On the weekends, we take day trips to Rome, Florence, Siena, Ostia, and various other places around Italy. I have been eating a lot of good Italian food and lots of gelato."
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13
T H ROU GH T H E V I E WFI N DE R
Alex Bigelow ’14 Grace Hall ’12
Karina Feitner ’14
Kerlin Conyngham’s photography students continue to present a stunning array of black & white perspectives of their surroundings.
Sawyer Thompson ’12
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VOX • Fall/Winter 2012–13 The Academy at Charlemont 1359 Route 2 • Charlemont, MA 01339
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 301 GREENFIELD, MA 01301
Noah Dirks ’14
T H ROU GH T H E V I E WFI N DE R
Graeme Sloan ’12
Karina Feitner ’14
IN THIS IS S U E
Farewell to Jane Grant—page 2
Meet Mark Efinger—page 3
Julius Caesar—pages 10-11