VOX • Fall 2014
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The Academy at Charlemont: Find your voice. Speak your mind.
Vox A newspaper for the community of The Academy at Charlemont
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG WORLD...
Fall 2014
Exploring the Network of Complementary Schools pages 5-6
Charlemont's Global Reach
Ties That Bind and Last
pages 6-10
page 12
page 2
VOX • Fall 2014
An Interview With Dr. Brian Bloomfield Our new Head of School By Grac e E n g e l m a n ’ 1 5 a n d Sa m He r sh , ’ 1 5
A
t the start of the 2014-2015
wasn’t going to happen because PhDs are more endurance trials than intelligence trials, and it’s hard to stick with it when life is telling you to stop. I stuck with it for two reasons: it was a really important goal for me, and also I thought it would kill my mother if I didn’t finish (laughter).
inherent connectedness between all people, life, and history that’s all humanities. You need to know science to cure cancer. But why do you want to cure cancer? It’s because you have a sense of humanity and morality and you care about life.
GE: Our next question is more about The Academy. What is one long-term goal you have for our school?
BB: Songs and Sonnets by John Donne. His poetry is my favorite in the universe. I frequently reread his work.
BB: My number one longterm goal for The Academy is to keep all the wonderful parts of the school, but broaden interest and support for it.
SH: Do you mind if I ask why?
SH: What is your favorite book?
GE and SH: No that’s great!
BB: I feel like an old man crediting my mother. When I school year, Dr. read your question, I started thinking about intellectual menBrian Bloomfield stepped tors and most of those are dead people and somehow I think in as the new Head of School that wasn’t really what you were at The Academy. After sending looking for. him our questions in advance, When I was young, all we sat down at a crowded café in early March to interview him through high school, and into college, my mother was very via Skype. We asked questions about his past, his interests, and clear that education was our top priority and she wanted his future plans for our school. me to work hard. She wouldn’t His answers were thoughtcare if the grade was a C- if she ful and inspiring, and we are excited to welcome him into our thought that I was really doing my best and trying, she was community. happy with it. I remember Samantha Hersh (SH): When that in my first did you know that you wanted trimester of to go into education? seventh grade I Dr. Brian Bloomfield (BB): It brought home a D+ in English was when I was in elementary class and I was school actually. I was identiterrified. I had fied as a gifted math student. I no idea what was sent from my school to a would happen. math magnet school. I liked it and I thought that what I really I was never hit as a kid, so I wanted to do with my life was didn’t think that teach math. would happen, It changed a bit and by the but just short time I became an adult, math of that I wasn’t was replaced by literature and I went to college, but some way sure where I was going to sleep that night. or another I knew that I always She was understanding and wanted to be a teacher. told me that she too had once gotten a D in high school, and I Grace Engelman (GE): Who never let it happen again. I don’t has been your biggest inspiraknow if she always thought I tion? would be in education, but she was very supportive and it was BB: This was a tough quesvery important to my family. tion, and I spent a lot of time I finished my PhD and earned thinking about it. And, despite my doctorate degree - that was the fact that she’ll probably a very long-term goal for me. never read this publication, I I had wanted that since I was would have to say my mother even though I know that sounds an undergraduate. There were times when it looked like it awkward.
GE: With all the focus on STEM in education today, how do you justify a humanities and classics-based education? BB: My answer is going to come right out of Aristotle
GE: Wow… BB: It’s very sad. I feel like I’ve been walking around for six years with a cast on my leg and I can’t run. You have to be very careful with sarcasm, especially around kids, but I’m looking forward to being back in a world where sarcasm is a normal form of expression. GE: Yeah, it’s everywhere. Our next question is if you could be in a movie, what would it be and what role would you play?
BB: This is a tough question because for about thirteen years, when I was about your age, my BB: Donne’s work is creative father owned a video store, back and beautiful and it makes you in the day when people rented think. When kids are intromovies. We had probably about duced to poetry, they think that 2,000 videos in our house. I it will be about the imagination loved movies. and emotion. In the seventeenth I decided that I would put century, poetry was not very myself in my favorite film, since emotional, but more intellectual. this is a fantasy question. You Donne makes me think thought I would pick Despicable and question my place in the Me 2, but I’m going to choose Chariots of Fire. I would play one of the runners. This movie makes me cry and inspires me every time I watch it, I have such a phenomenal respect for all athletes because I have never been particularly good at athletics.
“I think that if you want to make the world better, you have to understand math and statistics and probability - that if I do x, y is going to happen. But to be a force of moral good in this world and understand the inherent connectedness between all people, life, and history - that’s all humanities..” because I happen to believe that science is how you know and understand the world. Humanities is why you want to live in it. If you tell me that you are concerned about global warming, you can’t actually do anything about it unless you know something about science. I think that if you want to make the world better, you have to understand math and statistics and probability - that if I do x, y is going to happen. But to be a force of moral good in this world and understand the
universe. He talks about love and humanity. He is the most interesting and compelling thinker and writer I have ever read. He helps me understand my own life. SH: What do you think you will like the most about living on the East Coast? BB: Sarcasm. I so miss sarcasm. You have no idea. They don’t get sarcasm here in the Midwest.
SH: What is your favorite memory from high school?
BB: My favorite memory from high school is graduating from high school. I had a good group of friends but I did not particularly like that time in my life. My other favorite memory was reading Hamlet in AP English Class. In Act 1, Scene 2, Horatio makes a joke and I laughed out loud. It was the first time I had laughed out loud at something I had read. It was the moment when I started to become interested in literature and the reason I became interested in majoring in literature. cont'd next page...
VOX • Fall 2014
page 3 institution that represents and is infused with love, I think that the teachers and the students GE: Do you play any music? and the parents come together BB: Oh, this is a bad question. and do something unique that Okay, I played the guitar in col- they love and believe in. In Greek this concept is called lege but very, very badly I have just now started to learn to play poeisis, the act of creating, the act of being, it’s where we get the trumpet. the word ‘poetry’ from and this may sound a little weird SH: You could probably get music lessons from some of the but [in nature] men don’t get kids in the school if you wanted. to create things. Women get to create things: women get to have BB: I would like to! Learning babies, men don’t. So one of the things that men music, learning trumpet, is just have had to do throughout time like learning another language. So, I’m excited and hopefully by is pursue the ability to create the time I get there I’ll be able to something and I think education, if you do it right, is an act play something. of love and therefore, creation. SH: If you were trapped on an When you’re teaching someone something interesting, whether island, and had all the necessiyou’re disciplining someone ties, what would you want with or you’re helping them solve a you the most? problem, we get to do all those things with our students. And BB: I’d want to say a sixtyone inch plasma television, but, the only way to do it, and to do it well, is through love. there’s no electricity and no The one thing that cannot cable… I think I would want be brought to a school is love, a really good book, one that I could read and reread and keep you can’t create it, it has to be finding new information. I have there and you guys have it. I can answered a similar question (‘If manage a budget, I can write a course, I can supervise teachers, you were trapped on an island I can do all those things but I and only had one thing to read what would it be?’) before and I can’t make you love coming to have said The Collected Works of school and I can’t make your parents love what we do there, William Shakespeare. they have to do that on their Between his sonnets, his own. So, what I am most excited poetry, and his many plays, it’s such a rich collection of thought about is that you have such an amazing amount of love in the and character and emotion. I community and I’m eager to tap could probably read Hamlet into it and become a part of it. for the rest of my life and keep finding different things. So I GE: That’s a great answer, I would want a really good book, think that perfectly sums up our and I would want that to be school and I think that’s exactly the Collected Works of William why I chose it to be my highShakespeare, even though he’s school experience. not my favorite author. English majors take that kind of thing SH: Yeah, me too. very seriously. are the big people.
Dr. Brian Bloomfield in his new office at The Academy. Photo by Nora Bates Zale. you have all this desire to be independent and all these people telling you that you aren’t ready. Sometimes it’s a family situation, and it takes going to college and getting away from that. The main thing is that kids BB: For some kids, dependare prone to drama, so what you ing on the issue, what I say is high school will end. I went to a need to do is stop, take a breath, find something that you do that good school with good teachactually brings you joy, and foers, but I still wasn’t happy. It’s so hard to be a teenager because cus on that for a little while. BeSH: What would your advice be for kids who are also not feeling that high school is their favorite four years of their life?
Vox
Published annually by The Academy at Charlemont 1359 Route 2 • Charlemont, MA 01339 (413) 339-4912 • fax (413) 339-4324 • academy@charlemont.org Co-Editors: Nora Bates Zale ’00 , Martha Tirk P07 Design & Production: Nora Bates Zale ’00 Editing Support: Cornelia Reid P01 Contributing Writers: Nellie Boyd-Owens ’18, Sean Dacus ’88, Ella Deters ’18, Grace Engelman ’15, Carly Hall ’15, Samantha Hersh ’15, Michaela Lindsey ’17, Elizabeth Purington ’14, Manuela Rojas ’17 Contributing Photographers: Grove Staff, Nora Bates Zale ’00, Christina Gabriel P16, Christy Knox P14, 18, Lorena Loubsky P16, Martha Tirk P07, Ellen Zale P98, 00, 06 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.
cause when other things make you upset or anxious, you can still have the memory of that joy and you can go back to it. GE: We have a lot of music at our school, so the next question is what kind of music do you like? BB: I have three favorite artists, so they’re my go-to: Prince, the Indigo Girls, and Eric Clapton - so that’s R&B/soul, folk, and rock. But if I was only going to listen to one kind of music, which would probably kill me, it would probably be midcentury jazz. I’m also a huge fan of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash - I grew up in Cleveland, a very music-oriented town, I’ve been to over a hundred concerts in my life, I’ve seen the Indigo Girls over twenty times. Music was always a really big part of my life, and still is, so this is a very difficult question for me but I’m currently going through a very serious mid-century jazz phase. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Billie Holiday
GE: We have a lot of interesting traditions at The Academy - what about being a part of our community excites you the most? BB: As soon as I read this question I knew what I wanted to say: it is the idea of love. I think that The Academy is an
GE: So since you’re going to visit soon, and because we love talking about the school, do you have any questions for us? BB: I’m looking forward to my visit, and all I really want to do when I’m there is meet and talk to people. One of cont'd next page...
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VOX • Fall 2014
ing cartwheels, he’s screaming, he’s talking - he’s a different human being and no matter how much I care about him, no matter how much I talk to him, no matter how much of an interest BB: I think it’s really important in a school. When I started I’ve taken in him, I’m never going to get that out of him in [at Nova Classical Academy in Minnesota] there was no drama the classroom, he’s not going to talk in class, unless I make him. program and now it’s one of Drama gives many kids the opthe top three programs. Nova portunity to explore a different recently competed in One-Act side of who they are that they Plays, a state-wide competition don’t get in the classroom. that you can actually letter in. Some kids thrive in the classThis is the first year we competed and we won one of the top room, but for most kids drama, sports… it takes a personal three honors in the state. interest. The worst thing, the And it isn’t about winning, most terrifying thing, is if you obviously. I teach a senior SH: I have some narrower don’t take the time to create it in subject-wise questions, but you class right now, I teach ethical were talking about love and the philosophy, and I have known a a school, then if kids don’t get kid for five years and I think he into the arts later in their lives, closeness of The Academy, and has said maybe seventeen words they miss the opportunity altoour play has just finished so that’s really present in my mind in front of me over that time, he gether. So that’s my long answer because the drama group gets so just doesn’t talk. He’s just a very - I love it. close and connected and loving quiet kid, but you put that kid GE: That’s fantastic, and we on stage - holy malarkey, you and it’s people that you never also have so much visual art would not believe it! really spend time with outside He’s running around, he’s do- and music in our school, I think of drama but you definitely the reasons I chose this job is because of your school size. I am eager to be in a place where I’m going to get to know every student and every parent and every family. It’s going to take a little while because of my bad memory for names, but I want to start. I want to observe your classes, I want to talk with you during lunch - I don’t want to get in the middle of your day, I’m not going to interrupt you, but I’m just excited to watch what happens at school and get to know everyone.
become this really close family during drama, so I was wondering about your views in general on the drama program.
don’t want to again. But, without these things, you have such a small, sad little existence. So I love going to BB: Well, those are things that the plays, I love watching your performances, I like going to I’m personally pretty bad at. I played lacrosse for all four years your exhibitions, I love going to games... And even if I’m not in high school and I was never good at it, I love watching you on the starting string until the guys come alive at it, it’s just so last four games so I was never rewarding. particularly a talented athlete. I was never very good at my GE: I think that’s about it. physical ed class; you used to have to climb a rope and I was BB: Thank you, I’m grateful never able to climb the rope. It for your taking the time to chat was very embarrassing. I’m a bad artist, I was in several plays with me, and I’m really excited about coming out there, so when I was a kid, but never a thank you so much. major role, I’m not a very good singer, but I’m smart, I excelled GE/SH: Thank you! in the classroom so that’s where I focused my efforts. [As an adult,] you can carve a life for yourself where you never have to do the things that you’re bad at - so I never have to sing, I never have to play the guitar, and I never have to actually draw a picture of anyone if I that’s the same idea with letting us discover our other passions besides academics.
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Learning Life Skills at The Academy By E l l a D et e r s ’ 1 8 a n d Ne l l i e B oy d - O w e n s ’ 1 8
A
s students go
Knowing how to manage a work load is a crucial factor to through school, surviving the hustle and bustle of college and everyday work. they collect les- Also, knowing how to use the time one is given, and using it sons and information that fully, are key skills to have. Every morning, as it always stay with them and help them throughout their life. The Acad- has, the whole school comes together for Morning Meeting. emy teaches its students many Students have the opportunity of those skills, including work to announce different events ethic, public speaking, selfadvocacy, respectful debate, and happening that day such as sports games or lunch meetinteraction with adults. As Nate Manwell ’14told us, ings. Every student can practice speaking in front of the entire work ethic is one of the most important skills that The Acad- school. This becomes a regular event, and students become very emy has to offer its students. The middle school grants many comfortable talking in front of large groups of people. study periods that allow stu“The Academy prepares you dents to learn to manage their to give speeches and allows time. When they join the high school, they are tasked with put- you to share your thoughts and feelings publicly,” says Russell ting those skills into action on Allen ’15. Being comfortable in their own.
front of big groups of people is something that everyone should learn. All classes at The Academy are rigorous and rely heavily on student/teacher relationships. One needs to be able to speak up for oneself, and be able to ask for help when needed. This ability also carries into other subjects such as debates or friction within the school community. Last year, a restriction on leggings had been added to the dress code. The girls in our school felt that this was an unfair rule. Some of the girls took it upon themselves to speak up on everyone’s behalf, and formally requested that the rule be changed. After careful consideration, the faculty modified the restriction. This act of maturity enabled the girls to respectfully
Alex Bigelow ’14, giving his This I Believe speech to the community. Photo by Nora Bates Zale. self-advocate, and eventually achieve their goal. When a student can speak up for his or her viewpoint, and show enough passion to overcome any worries about confronting the issue, adults take them more seriously. This is something that our students are able to do, and one of the greatest aspects of The Academy.
Manuela Rojas ’17, feels that respectful debate is one of the most vital lessons that The Academy offers. The eighth grade takes Civics every year. This class focuses heavily on current events and class discussions. The class of 2018, having just completed this course, cont'd next page...
VOX • Fall 2014 remembers many debates. The debates at the beginning of the year tended to be more high-strung and argumentative, but as the semester went on, the group started to learn the parameters of respectful debate. They began to have regard for what others thought and felt. They learned how to convey opinions without dismissing those of others. Discussions were filled with valuable perspectives, and because they were voiced respectfully, everyone was heard. This is a skill that will follow Academy students throughout our entire lives. Everywhere we go we will meet people that do not agree with our opinions. Self-control and the ability to debate respectfully are skills that all students at The Academy will take away and bring to wherever they go next.
page 5 Here at The Academy at Charlemont, students are strongly encouraged to work with and ask for help from their teachers. Through studentteacher writing conferences, and band and sports practices, students taking initiative to seek assistance is something one sees every day in our community. Although our teachers aren’t truly scary, it does take a lot of courage to approach an adult to ask whether a sentence is using the correct comma rule. However, this is something our students learn early at The Academy and can be used to their advantage throughout high school and long after. After school, when each student practices a sport, it is easy to spot a student seeking and receiving individual help from a coach. One can observe this in the band room as well where students across the grades, with
Nellie Boyd-Owens ,18, standing, with her classmates at their 8th grade Mock Trial in the fall of 2013. The jurors (class of 2015) look on. Photo by Nora Bates Zale. support from their teachers, assert themselves in the world of music. This custom of building a relationship with one’s assisting superiors is a skill that will be useful in college and in day-today life.
Outstanding work ethic, public-speaking, self-advocacy, respectful debate, and interaction with adults are skills that every Academy student receives. Although these things may not be directly obvious as learning
experiences for a student, after some reflection, it’s easy to see the importance of these skills, and how lucky we are to be taught them so early in life.
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG WORLD: Exploring the Network of Complementary Schools By M a nu e l a R ojas ’ 1 7
T
he Network of Complementary Schools is made
up of a group of schools
interested in providing diverse opportunities in education to their students. The Academy’s membership in the Network began in 2010. Over the course of the last four years, a total of eighteen Academy students have spent time at participating schools all over the country. We have received ten guests from other Network schools, including a student this past May. Though there are some boarding schools in the Network, at day schools like ours, a student stays with a host fam-
ily. Typically, the hosts have a child who attends the school as well. Open to any high school students at The Academy, these visits tend to be about 1-2 weeks long. The Network consists of a total of 19 member schools around the country, as well as in Puerto Rico and Ontario, Canada. We have member schools in California, Colorado Kansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York City and upstate New York, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Washington State. When a student goes to another Network school, he or she participates fully in that school’s program. Each school has unique activities and opportunities for their students. For example, our school offers skiing at Berkshire East, and if the visit is timed right, a guest
might get to learn about maple sugaring. The schools in the Network provide a diverse array of options: public, private, big and small, religious, conservative, liberal, progressive, all girls’ boarding, all boys’ schools. This is a chance to branch out, to widen one’s horizons, to meet new people that one would be unlikely to meet in the regular course of a day here at The Academy. It can be uncomfortable to take oneself outside of a comfort zone, but participating students credit the Network experience as ultimately cont'd next page.......
Network exchange student from the Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, Rosa (second from the left) with her host sisters Lilah ’18(far left) and Karina Feitner ’14 (far right), looking on as another guest in the household, Pear from Thailand, gets a kiss on the cheek. Photo by Christy Knox P13, 18.
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enriching, rewarding, a huge opportunity at a low risk and low cost. Compelling testaments to the Network can be found in a section called “Student Voices” on their website. Network student travelers post blogs accounting for their experiences at other schools. In order to understand a more personal account of the program, I asked Michaela Lindsey ’17 about her recent experience as a Network exchange student. Manuela Rojas (MR): Which school did you attend during your Network exchange?
ML: It was a lot bigger than The Academy, both in the physical size of the campus and in the number of students per grade. There was also an elementary school, which is different. It was slightly more casual; people dressed more casually and teachers were called by first names. However, there was a similar sense of familiarity among students and between students and teachers.
and so I had another week of vacation when I got home. I also took only arts classes at the school so I didn’t feel like I was being forced to work hard on
could ask anyone for directions and they’d help me get where I was going. By the end, I felt like I knew what I was doing.
MR: Would you do it again? ML: I might do it again. Part of me feels like once is enough for this specific type of experience, but regardless, I feel that it has prepared me for other similar things, like studying abroad or doing a pre-college program away from home. MR: What was your favorite and least favorite thing about the network exchange?
MR: Do you still keep in contact with your host family?
ML: I have not really stayed in contact with my host family but I know that my host sister is interested in coming to The Academy MR: Why did you choose that for a similar exchange and I intend to contact her soon school? about that, also because I left my wallet in their apartment... ML: I chose it because it was in New York City, where MR: Did you make any I have always wanted to live. friends? I also chose it because I liked the vibe I got from the webML: I definitely became site; it conveyed a strong sense friendly with some people in the of community and also there school. was a broad variety of very interesting classes. Ms. [Kerlin] MR: Was it worth sacrificing Conyngham,[Art faculty member and Dean of Students], also your vacation? recommended it to me. ML: I don’t feel like I sacriMR: Was it a big change from ficed my vacation because my exchange was only a week long being here at The Academy?
travel around the Upper West Side of Manhattan and actually know where I am going.
Michaela Lindsey (ML): I attended the Calhoun School in New York, New York.
Michaela Lindsey ’17 with her host sister Maryam in NYC.
schoolwork during break, but again, if the circumstances had been different I imagine it could feel that way. MR: What was it like being in a new environment? ML: It was scary and overwhelming to be in a new environment at first, but everyone was very warm and welcoming towards me. The first couple of days I got lost in the school a lot, but it was okay because I
MR: What did you get out of the experience? ML: I learned how to get way outside my comfort zone because I knew literally no one my first day there, so I had to meet people and make friends without knowing anything, really. I also participated in class even when I knew barely anything they were talking about, so I learned how to speak up and do things in front of people I had never met before. I also can
ML: My favorite thing was getting to know all kinds of people and trying new things. My least favorite thing was how shy and awkward I felt in groups of new people. I know those contradict each other, but it makes sense in my mind. Overall, it is clear that the exchange program provided by the Network of Complementary Schools is an enriching opportunity for Academy students to get out of their comfort zones, and experience something new, fun, and different. As for hosting students at our campus, the program continues to offer the chance to meet new friends each year, broadening our tightknit community as we welcome guests from near and far.
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG WORLD: Charlemont's Global Reach
T
By Nora Bates Z a l e ’00
he following four interviews were conducted
via email with two alums
and two current students - the latter have since become alums themselves. The alums and students were paired by similar fields of study – one of each within two respective categories: environmental studies and international relations.
What prompted you to pursue this work? I’ve always had an interest in Zoë is a PhD Candidate food and environmental issues, in Agricultural and Resource and over time those two areas of interest have played a role in Economics at the University of California, Davis. She is current- whatever I do. As an undergraduate, I thought I was going ly working on her dissertation, to study environmental policy. involving research on several aspects of market power—includ- In the pursuit of that degree, I ing monopoly and duopoly—and took an economics class and realized I loved the discipline—so social networks among fruit my focus became environmental growers in California. She also economics. serves on the Board of Directors Then I took a job as a medical of the Davis Food Co-op, a local records clerk at a small enconsumer-owned retail food docrinology practice. It was cooperative. Zoë Plakias ’ 04: Exploring the Environment
supposed to just be a paycheck, but I became fascinated with the incentives our diabetic patients faced as consumers. I wondered, “why do people do things that they know are unhealthy for them?” That’s clearly not just an economics question, but economics plays a role. This interest, plus my work on a board committee of the local food co-op, prompted me to focus on food in my economics work. I transitioned to the agricultural production side after moving to California for graduate school. California is the
source of much of the nation’s food, so it’s a fascinating place to study agricultural production. My work on the board of the food co-op comes after ten years of being a member of or on a committee at a food co-op in whatever town I was living in. But I think my parents first planted the seed of my interest. My mother had a large vegetable garden when I was growing up, and she preserved much of what she harvested. Plus, my parents were part of a buying club that purchased cont'd next page...
VOX • Fall 2014 work, I have to revise my plan. So, as you might imagine, it’s sometimes hard to see how the process will ever end. Secondly, it’s an independent project. This can be tough because I love working with people, and some of what I do can only be done by one person. I get through these challenges by trying to focus on the end goal, by using every opportunity How did growing up in I have to engage with others Western Massachusetts affect the way you relate to regarding my work, and by doing other things in my life that the natural world? Growing up in Western Mas- involve more interaction and sachusetts, I learned to appreci- regular progress – like my board work. The board work has its ate the beauty of a landscape challenges, too. The biggest transformed by humans. Of challenge recently has been the course, there are still many political aspect. farms in Western MassachuWe are elected by the co-op setts, but where I grew up (in Wendell), even if you made your membership and accountable to them, and sometimes they don’t way into the forest, you were all like what we do. Luckily, I am likely to find old cellar holes and stone walls punctuating the part of an amazing nine-member board, and I am learning landscape. an immense amount from my This landscape impressed fellow directors about how to upon me the idea that if we handle these tough situations. want to continue living on this planet, we have to accept that we are constantly transforming it. What makes it fun? Our interactions with the natuWell, I get paid to observe the ral world shape us, but they also world around me, ask questions, shape the natural world. In fact, and then try to answer them. So the idea of the “natural world” that’s pretty great. And when is really just a human construct I’m able to answer a question that helps us compartmentalize using economic reasoning or our existence. research, it’s a phenomenal I think when we acknowlfeeling. edge that we’re a part of the Agricultural economics is natural world, we tend to have particularly fun because agrigreater respect for the other culture is such an integral part aspects of it – animal, vegetable of human existence. Whenever and mineral – which we depend I shop at a grocery store or eat upon and which sometimes at a restaurant or see a crop in a field or get stuck behind one of depend on us for survival. those dreadful-smelling liquid What makes the work chal- manure trucks, I am observing lenging, and how do you get and questioning, and thinking about what economic phenomthrough those challenges? ena might explain what I’m My to-do list basically has seeing. I love finding economic one item on it: ϔinish dissertation. Despite this list being very explanations for things that happen in everyday life. short, it can be a little overThe board work is great for whelming. Why? Well, first of a number of reasons. As you all, it’s a moving target. I don’t might imagine, we eat well. I have to learn a set amount of love thinking about the big material and then take a test picture and strategizing and on it. problem-solving, plus I’m I have to say, “this is what I learning a lot about the grocery want to do, and this is how I’m going to do it.” And then I have business, which helps inform my academic work. to do it. And then if it doesn’t from Northeast Cooperatives, which was a wholesale supplier to many food cooperatives in New England—so I got hooked early. I stayed hooked because I found that food cooperatives are amazing democratic institutions that allow consumers to affect the food economy and their own lives for the better.
page 7 But the best part of it is the community: the members, the staff and my fellow directors. The business has been around for 42 years now, so it’s a community institution; I love being a part of that. Was there anything about your experience as an Academy student that affected your career path, or that is reflected in your work today? Most of my time from the ages of 11 to 17 was spent at The Academy or en route (usually with some of my peers). I was even there in the summers working on drama productions. I feel like I was raised at The Zoë Plakias ’04 and Mollie Donohue-Meyer ’14 at The Academy's 2014 Academy and by the Commencement. Photo by Nora Bates Zale ’00. Academy community, so it’s hard to pinpoint any one I took lots of classes I liked and today. My experiences on boats part of my experience that most none of the prerequisite classes I and in other jobs were also shaped me or led me to where I was “supposed to” take and was hugely influential, and the ream today. involved in many extracurricu- lationships I built in those jobs have been key to my success. Clearly the academic prepara- lar activities. Also, it was my parents’ interest tion was an important aspect Along the way, I took a in the source of their food and of my Academy experience and semester off to crew on a tall growing up in Western Masship and then studied abroad has been vital for my current in the Brazilian Amazon. After sachusetts that probably first path. Had it not been for the sparked my interest in food and four semesters, I quit school compassion and dedication of agriculture. entirely for a year and worked all my math teachers, I might never have learned to like math in environmental education and sail-training programs on tall – and now I do it for a living! ships. I would also have to say that Mollie Donohue-Meyer ’14: On tall ships I found a comthe sense of community and Exploring the Environment spirit of service instilled in me at munity very much like The The Academy have been hugely Academy – a tightknit group Mollie's senior project revolved influential. In every stage of my focused on a common purpose; around the idea that one can life, I have looked for communi- I met some of my closest friends create a shelter of sorts with low and my husband through that ties like the one I found at The impact and minimal resources. Academy, and most of the time I work. When I returned to With help, she harvested around have been lucky enough to find school, I attended Western 80 saplings and, with them, built Washington University in Bellthem. a yurt. ingham, WA. I quickly found I loved What did your post-AcadWhat prompted you to economics, and I went to school pursue this project? emy education consist of, The book Tiny Homes had and do you perceive that to straight through the summer for two years to finish my B.A. a lot to do with it, as well as be the link between a relconsidering what was feasible. I evant Academy experience (in Economics) and then went right into graduate school. I’ve toyed with the idea of building a and your chosen field? been working on my PhD for small cabin or a tree house at I jumped around a bit for four years now. So, I would say first, but I don’t think I could my post-Academy education. my post-Academy educational have finished either project I went to Whitman College in experiences are one aspect of within the time frame. Walla Walla, WA, at the age of cont'd next page... 17, straight out of The Academy. what’s led me to where I am
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VOX • Fall 2014 in all seasons, in (almost) all weather, and we just know to appreciate it because everyone does.
Was there anything about your time at The Academy that affected your interest in the environment? Are there ways you could see your Academy experience affecting your future? My Academy experience will totally affect my future. I think my Mollie with her yurt at Senior Project interest in the enExhibition in May of 2014 . Photo by Ellen vironment began Zale P98, 00, 06. before my time as an Academy student, but I hadn’t had the What were the challenges involved in doing this experience of living in a ‘shared space’ as much as I have here project, and what made it and that very much extends to fun? There were a ton of challeng- the environment. The concept of es, especially given how limited shared spaces is a small example of how the past years here will my knowledge of both yurts continue to affect me. and building was at the outset. I struggled to find saplings that would fit my needs at first, but What do your post-Acadeluckily science faculty member my education plans consist Mr. Doug Forbes helped me out, of, and do you see yourself and the bulk of the saplings I cut continuing on with the are from his property. work you’ve started here? Also, as always with projects, I’m taking a gap year in the little things ended up taking hopes of learning languages, more time than expected, and traveling, working, volunteerby April I was rushing to get ing, and meeting people. I’m everything done. That was the sure I’ll always love yurts, and best part though, setting up the I definitely hope to continue frame and watching everything learning about sustainability come together. I loved that. I and following sustainable pracloved sharing parts of the protices. cess with people and definitely loved sharing the product with the school. Kipp Sutton ’ 90: International Relations: How did growing up in Kipp works as a Foreign Service Western Massachusetts affect the way you relate to Officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USthe natural world? Probably what’s most impor- AID). His areas of technical focus are Agriculture and Economic tant about Western MassachuGrowth, and his main responsisetts for me is that everyone bilities are to design and manage here appreciates this area so development projects in coordimuch. The hilltowns are pretty
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nation with host-country governments. Kipp currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand - “the city of angels, the land of smiles” - with his wife and two daughters. Previously, he worked for USAID in Afghanistan and Nepal. What prompted you to pursue this work? Fresh out of college, I became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia from 1995 to 1998. During that time, I was inspired by working with poor farmers in difficult conditions and the solidarity and strength they demonstrated. I was also deeply curious about other cultures and peoples Kipp Sutton ’90 holding a chicken with a woman farmer in front of a and realized that I greatly coop that Peace Corps Paraguay had installed, 2004. Photo submitted enjoyed international de- by Kipp Sutton. velopment work. local partners. USAID works at How does being an AmeriA couple of grad school a different level, creating large degrees later, I found myself can influence both how you multi-million dollar programs, back in the Peace Corps where perceive your surroundings in cooperation with the hostI worked for five years as a in foreign countries, and government, and other stakeForeign Service Officer, first in how non-Americans perParaguay, where I met my wife, holders, to effect large-scale ceive and interact with you? change. and then in Mongolia. Both Both can be incredibly chalthe Peace Corps and USAID In my work, living overseas, lenging and equally fulfilling. were created by President John I have two American personas: F. Kennedy in 1961 in an effort the private American and the to use our human and cont'd next page... economic resources to assist less-developed countries. In addition to the compelling argument of the need to assist our fellow humans in difficult conditions, the macroeconomic theories that emerged after the World Wars postulated that stable, growing and interconnected countries benefitted the engaged world and decreased the risks of large-scale conflict. The Peace Corps forges strong personal relationships and provides assistance, often one villager at a time. The experience can be very rewarding, as much for the Kipp with his labrador, Pepa, in Mongolia, 2008. Photo submited by Kipp. volunteers as for the
VOX • Fall 2014 official one. Most of the people I interact with in my daily life do not know what my job is and so see me as just a foreigner, or if they know as much, as an American. For better or worse, many people have opinions about the US and follow its politics and actions closely. The impacts of our policies affect the world, and people pay attention. It’s always a pleasure to serve in countries where we have a positive image, such as Nepal. However, in any country you will meet people who like Americans and those who do not. Part of my job is to show the personal face of the US and convey the realization that our shared human values are much stronger than any cultural differences and that people are more nuanced than their government’s policies. As an American working in less developed countries, I see the many differences between the systems and lifestyle of the US and where I am living. It’s very eye-opening to understand how different cultures have each adapted uniquely to their circumstances to cherish and preserve the things that all people prioritize—life, family, friends, fun, etc. At the same time that I bring my technical expertise to help the local people, I also learn valuable examples of different approaches to life’s common issues. What makes the work challenging, and how do you get through those challenges? Working for the government means dealing with bureaucracy sometimes and that can be challenging. It requires understanding the system, knowing how to keep things moving, and realizing that sometimes it’s out of your control. Working overseas in developing countries can have its own challenges: poor infrastructure, lack of adequate health care, pollution, and simply not being able to read signs and understand the local language. However, many of these challenges are present to some degree in
page 9 The Academy not only shaped my thinking and perspective, it also helped me to get into my college of choice (thanks to the strong support of [Faculty Emerita] Señora Grant, where I was then selected for the Peace Corps.
that dream. So I finally chose to study North Korea, where ideology and national interest have mingled for more than half a century, and eventually was able to imagine possible future scenarios in that region.
What were the challenges involved in doing this project, and what made it fun? The whole process was really interesting, but it also contained unimaginable amounts of work and lots of effort. I did encounter some barricades and harshness. I had times when I felt this project was not going to work. What kept me going was nothing but the love of this area of study. I think that I would rather die than have a life without all of the academic reading and the analysis of history. This senior project has really appealed to my passion for political and military topics. I would call the process of doing the work a “movie effect.” Like when people are watching a Regan Sun ’ 14: movie – one that is so good that International Relations no one wants to miss any part of Kipp and his daughters at the Loy Krathong Festival in Bangkok, it, despite the fact that they are Regan's senior project was a where Buddhists give water offerings to absolve sins. Kipp proudly desperate for a bathroom break. comprehensive research paper on represents his homeland - go Sox! Photo submitted by Kipp. One of the biggest difficulties North Korea, which has attracted his attention since 2009. Its close of doing this project was the selection of the material. While the US as well and each unique proximity to his home country affected your career path, researching the history of the situation adds to the character of China plays a large role in or that is reflected in your Korean Peninsula, I reached a and feel of that country. These Regan's fascination with the work today? point where I realized there is things can make just going to country's politics. Hindsight is 20/20 and very little dependable informawork everyday an adventure, looking back it seems like my tion. which I love. life has been a series of critiWhat prompted you to It was not an easy job to tell pursue this project? cal forks in the road that have led me to where I am. Would I What makes it fun? When I heard there would be whether the information I had was real or not. To explain why, have eventually ended up in the a senior independent project, The people I work with are I want to offer more background same place had I taken the other and that students could degenerally a lot of fun and interabout the countries I was repaths? I’m not sure, but I don’t sign their own projects, I was esting folks. They know how to searching. Totalitarian countries think so. thrilled. My senior project was roll with challenges and have have a common habit of limiting The choices have almost been dedicated to researching not good stories from having lived the information available to predetermined by what came only the history of the Korean overseas in many wild places. common people. before, by what formed me. Peninsula, but also the differIt is also a lot of fun to Through this limitation, the One of those earliest formative ent post-WWII relationships explore the places we live, government can control or even between China, Russia, North discovering new favorite dishes, periods that I recognize is The unify the consensus of society Korea and the United States of off-the-path locales, and putting Academy. The teachers exposed me to America in order to predict the in order to solidify its dominatogether pieces of the culture new ideas, and cultivated an future scenario of Northeastern tion and influence. North Korea we live in. Now I get to do that is a perfect example. Education appreciation for those ideas and Asia. with my family and it’s a great is limited; publishing houses Originally, I thought about feeling to see my children’s eyes the diversity that exists in our and presses are controlled; even researching historical Chinese wide with wonder at some of the world (I will never forget the daily chats among people are “New World of Understanding” military theory. But as I have experiences we have. monitored by local governmap that hung in one of the always dreamed about ruling ments. classrooms, showing the world the world, I wanted to make Was there anything from a Southern Hemisphere the whole project practical – about your experience as cont'd next page... perspective, “upside down”). something that could support an Academy student that What did your post-Academy education consist of, and do you perceive that to be the link between a relevant Academy experience and your chosen field? I went to a liberal arts college, as did most of my Academy classmates. I ended up studying international development and sustainable agriculture in graduate school. You could say that the link is The Academy because my interest in Spanish, engendered by Señora Grant, led me to join the Peace Corps and that in turn led to my graduate school work.
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page 10 So, the information is limited. On the other hand, because of ideological differences between North Korea and the United States, the information I could access here might be used for propagandistic purposes, which means that it might not meet the requirement of objectivity for academic research. For example, I watched a PBS documentary called The Secret State of North Korea, which was incredible material. However, I realized that the narrations and editing had a certain amount of subjectivity - it might affect people who know nothing about North Korea and make them think in a certain direction. Under this influence, choosing documents and research material, undoubtedly, is a challenge for the researcher. Also, because of the language limitations, I had no access to any other documentation beside Chinese and English materials. These aspects of the research cost me a lot of time spent reading the books, and sometimes I had to give up on using sources of information. How much did your being from China affect your decision to do this work? How do you think being Chinese affects your experience of going to school in the United States? Well, as you know, I am Chinese and I am proud of it. The purpose of going abroad is to learn. After spending two years at The Academy, I have realized the differences between Western and Eastern cultures are not as simple as I thought. At the same time, bias because of cultural difference is always there. This is the part that people cannot find in my paper because that is not something one can write down. To me, my Chinese background grants me access to ancient Chinese documentations that include a significant amount of Korean study. Also, because I stayed in America and took American classes, I had the ability to compare different opinions. But this
VOX • Fall 2014
Above: A portrait of Regan Sun atop one of the tallest building in Shenzhen, SEG Plaza. Below: Regan delivering his speech at Commencement 2014. Photo by Lorena Loubsky P16.
was only for my research and writing. What I did throughout the whole year was not simply research what I needed. I also read materials that were not completely related to North Korea. So that’s the fun part: the two years of American experience put me into a situation where I could see an issue in multiple ways. I could more easily realize the advantage and the disadvantage of Chinese opinions. So, to me, America is a mirror, to make myself more aware about my own culture than I used to be.
Was there anything about your time at The Academy that affected your interest in international relations? Are there ways you could see your Academy experience affecting your future? For this senior project, the first thing that came to my mind was The Academy. I have to thank The Academy at Charlemont. All of my accomplishments come from standing on your shoulders. Without this platform, I am nothing, and the project would be nothing too. One suggestion I would like to make is that international relations, which is my aca-
demic interest, become an area of interdisciplinary study. It is related to so many different aspects of learning, and one person’s understanding of the subject can be quite different from another’s. I looked through the senior projects in the back of library, and did not find any works on a similar issue. As a person who is going to college to study this field, I think it would benefit The Academy to provide some introduction of this subject to future students. This senior project not only offers some information and understanding about North Asia, but also does provide a demonstration
of comprehending different opinions under the influence of Western and Eastern cultures. One can argue that my experience at The Academy itself is an experiment in international relations. To understand each other is the most critical thing in contemporary society: it has to come before people can work together. I received so much help during the whole research process from the faculty because we are such a close community that people know each other well. Also, this two-year experience allowed me to practice my ability to communicate with others and accept different opinions from different people. It would be an absolute benefit for any international students like me to join the intimate and enthusiastic community of The Academy. What do your post-Academy education plans consist of, and do you see yourself continuing on with the work you’ve started here? I will start my freshman year of college at American University in Washington D.C. in the fall. Since I have a strong commitment to international relations and political science, I believe American University will provide a good environment for my future development. I will definitely encounter different opinions and perspectives in the US capital city, so I am confident of my future development in this area.
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VOX • Fall 2014
page 11
Andrae Green:
Lessons in Painting, Drawing, and Life By El iz abeth P u rin g ton ‘ 14
A
ndrae Green
resistance and even persistence.” Even with this belief, however, first became a Andrae is not “discounting a formal education,” because he does “think that balancing both legend at The is important.” So while Andrae knows that Academy because he has a painting in the Louvre. Now he’s the classroom isn’t the only place to learn, he still has many legendary because people love hopes for students in his classes. his Representational Drawing and Classical Painting studio First, he hopes that his blocks. “students realize that nothing is New to the school in the fall impossible once you work hard and engage the subject matter of 2013, Andrae teaches two studio blocks including classical the right way.” Second, he wants oil painting and representational them “to see art as fun. If it’s not fun, first, then it will lose accesdrawing. Andrae says he was “always a creative person,” but sibility…Once people engage in he feels he “came to art later than most.” Growing up, he actually wanted to be a musician and it was only after he began studying at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica that he considered pursuing art as a career: “Art-making took on this whole the ‘fun’ aspect of art, then the other level where I realized that real investigation can begin.” I could actually affect people And third, he hopes that his through what I make. Before students “learn to really apprecithis, I thought that I could only ate art-making as a very potent do this through music. Today I form of self-expression” and “a believe that my work is intilens through which to engage mately engaged with affecting any topic.” an audience.” With such obvious dedication Andrae continued studying to his students, it is no surprise art at the New York Academy of that Andrae is so beloved. Art in New York City, where he Hannah Lessels ’14 offered the earned his MFA, but he feels as following high praise: “Andrae is a wonderful teacher. He is although the “real education for ways engaged and prepared. He an artist or any creative person is clearly incredibly passionate is found in everyday life and about art and wants to inspire hard work. The real ‘school’ is that passion in his students.” the nuances of life where one Grace Engelman ’15 added gets inspiration, learns selfexpression, understands desire, that “Andrae is one of the most
“Art-making took on this whole new other level where I realized that I could actually affect people through what I make.”
Student Henry Walker-West ’17 appreciates that Andrae’s classes provide more than an art education: “We debated a lot in class which was really fun. The debates were on varying topics but mostly music.” While Andrae’s classes allow students to have fun with art, they are not a time to goof-off. Andrae expects his students to work hard and to push themselves to try new things, an expectation which he bases on personal experience. When Andrae emigrated from Jamaica to New York City to attend art school, he learned the value of hard work: “I went through a lot of harsh situations as a new immigrant that maybe most Americans don’t experience. But through the culture shock, and surviving as a graduate student through many circumstances, I realized that I was capable of what I set out to do… I think it’s important for people, especially students, to experience failure and hardships Andrae and the tools of his trade in Polyhymnia, one of The to really learn about what you’re Academy's art studios. Photo by Nora Bates Zale ’00 capable of. There are hard lessons to face in life, but through it, you patient, kind find your successes. people I have And I certainly ever met… wouldn’t be here if He was always it wasn’t for those willing to help experiences.” me and his But he did have passion for those experipainting and ences, and he is art is contahere, teaching at gious.” The Academy and According inspiring a new to Andrae, generation of artthe feelings demonstrates how much Andrae ists. And not only artists can of admiration expressed by his find inspiration from Andrae values his time with them. In students are mutual: “I love particular, Andrae points to the Green, as he proved with this my students. I think that they teach me just as much as I teach animated discussions that occur excellent life advice: “Find what you love to do and just do it; the in his studio blocks as a highthem.” rest will work itself out.” light of his time teaching here: That might be a stretch from Thank you, Andrae, for doing “We have interesting conversaa student perspective, considertions that keep the environment what you love and sharing it ing the endless skills that Andrae teaches in his classes, but it of the classroom very engaging.” with our school.
“There are hard lessons to face in life, but through it, you find your successes. And I certainly wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those experiences.”
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VOX • Fall 2014
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG WORLD: Ties That Bind and Last
M
By C arly Hal l ’15
any Academy families have hosted exchange students from various far-flung international locales. Not only is the
exchange program great for international students to experience a unique American education, but it also offers the opportunity for lasting friendships between visitors and their host families. In 2011, Marcello ’15 and Ilaria ’16 deLesdernier and their family hosted François Depireux. François came to The Academy as a senior. Marcello said that over what was his eightth grade year they became very close friends and that François truly became part
his family were great hosts, and we made sure to connect when he was in Germany and Italy. I also formed a close friendship with another international student, Diego De Carvalho, and we have been able to meet up a couple times in both Brazil and Portugal. I won't forget my two other really good Academy friends Tony Cui (China) and Gerardo Ojeda (Mexico) who I keep in touch with via social networks. These friendships are thanks to the small, close community of The Academy.”
François Depireux (far right) with Diego De Carvalho (to his immediate left) and Tony Cui. All three international students were members of the class of 2011. Photo provided by François.
In return, Gracie speaks fondly about her bond with Ge, “At times it was tricky to figure out how new additions to our class would fit into our existing tight bonds, but with Ge, her sparkly personality François Depireux ’ 11 (far right) with Marcello ’ 15 (to his and hilarious immediate left in the back row) and the deLesdernier family at their sense of home. Photo provided by François. humor made it seamless. Our friendship of his family. Since François These are not the only friendmade my last graduated in 2011 and returned ships that have lasted beyond two years at to Belgium, the two have kept in these students' time together at Ge Zhou ’12 (left) and Grace Hall ’12 attending a sporting event together at Ge's The Academy touch and still chat on a weekly the school. college, Virgina Tech. Photo provided by Ge. and the time basis. Gracie Hall and Ge Zhou since so wonderful—she is a real Over the summer of 2013, both graduated in 2012 from Academy. After graduating they tant ones. I was still new to the Marcello and François were The Academy at Charlemont. have both made time to visit school and still new even to this forever friend.” Friendships like able to meet up when Marcello Ge came to us from China for each other over school breaks country. Gracie was a great help those between Gracie and Ge or Marcello and François are just went to Germany through The her junior and senior years and and long weekends, including to me in many ways and she few of the many bonds that have Academy’s Erding exchange is now enrolled in the archispending time together in New became my dearest friend. The program. “It was great to be able tecture program at Virginia York City at the start of the 2014 magical thing about the friend- formed and lasted as a result of The Academy’s commitment to see François and meet his Polytechnic Institute and State summer season. ship is that no matter how far family,” says Marcello. François University. Says Ge of Gracie, “The apart we are, I know the second to welcoming international has similar sentiments, “Even Though Gracie did not host Academy is such a special place. we see each other, it will just be students to its community. though I was only at The Acad- Ge, they became very close I met many amazing people and like the old times.” emy for one year, Marcello and friends during Ge’s time at The Gracie is one of the most impor-
VOX • Fall 2014
Costa Rica: ¡Qué Bueno!
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I
By El iz abeth P u rin g ton ’14
n March, Spanish teacher Caitlin Scudder (known by her
students as “Profe”) led
twelve students and two other chaperones on a ten day adventure in Costa Rica. Offered in place of the Merida trip this year, the Costa Rica trip was a blend of community service, language and cultural immersion, and sightseeing. Our first destination: the picturesque, mountainous coffeefarming village, Santa Cruz de León Cortés. Having established a connection with Santa Cruz in Sophia Keins ’15 (left), Hannah Lessels ’14 (center), Elizabeth Purington ’14 (right), college, Profe has travelled there and Martina Rehmus ,14 (seated) working in the classroom. numerous times in the past sev-
Erin Wooldridge, Grace Engelman and Siena Burgess, all members of the class of 2015, on a hike near Santa Cruz.
we spent many hours painting elaborate murals in the community center. We also spent two afternoons in a fifth grade English class, keeping energetic children
of an apple, have seeds like a pomegranate, and taste unbelievably delicious. One day we drove high into the mountains (in the back of trucks, which was our most common mode of transport other than our own two feet) to harvest coffee before visiting a coffeeprocessing facility, where the beans are husked, cleaned, and dried before Sam Hersh ’15 at the coffee plantation. being This and all photos provided by the shipped travelers' Flickr page. elsewhere. A passion flower. In the eral years and is a familiar and entertained with new words and evenings, we would gather for an activity, often accompanied beloved visitor in the village. games and stickers. by host parents and a swarm of The community, including our Other days we explored the host siblings. We played soccer, fifteen gracious host families, agricultural aspects of Santa made tortillas, had dance leswelcomed us with open arms, Cruz, touring a plant nursery sons, and learned fun call-andopen doors, and delicious food. and visiting avocado and pasresponse chants that invariably Our week there was an unfor- sion fruit farms. Passion fruit, ended with us jumping around, gettable adventure, and each day called “granadillas” in Spanish, shaking our arms and legs à la brought something new. As part are unlike any fruit I’d eaten in of the service aspect of our trip, the U.S. They are about the size the “hokey pokey.” By the end
Surf's up! The whole group of students, plus chaperone Tom Brown (back, center), testing their watersport skills at the beach in Manuel Antonio. of the week, each of us truly felt like a part of the Santa Cruz community. Our second destination: Manuel Antonio, a beach town that is home to Manuel Antonio National Park. We spent a whirlwind two days here, swept up in the tourist thrills it had to offer. The group went on a zip-line canopy tour, took surf lessons, and hiked through the national park. We saw sloths at the beach and monkeys on our hotel roof. Many of us got sunburned. And mostly, just like in Santa Cruz, we had a truly wonderful time.
A guest at a beach picnic.
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VOX • Fall 2014
Immenso Giubilo!: A leading lady reflects on Major Barbara
W
By Michael a L indsey ’17
wide understanding and passion for theater. walked “My theater background is into the in dance,” says Christina, “but first drama lunch meeting with each play in mid-November, I had no idea that my children have been how much this winter’s play involved in I have would mean to me. been pulled farMr. Neale Gay - English and ther and farther History faculty member and in, and I find Drama Director - announced the suspense of that unlike previous years, dramatic thewe would not be putting on a ater completely Shakespeare play, but instead would be doing Major Barbara, compelling.” Our a play that I had never heard of. two fabulous Allen Gabriel ’ 16 (left) and Michaela Lindsey ’ 17 (right) in their roles as directors were “I didn’t want to do ShakeAdolphus Cusins and Babara Undershaft, under the watchful gaze of Karina assisted by Jackie Feitner ’ 14 (seated), playing Barbara's father, Andrew Undershaft. Photo by speare,” he later told me, Walsh P16. Sam Christina Gabriel P16 “because sometimes I feel that, Hersh ’15 also particularly with a young cast, backdrop: one side was painted incredibly thick and convincjoined the directing crew as so much time is spent just unas the flamboyant wallpaper of ing Cockney accent. “My dad stage manager, in addition to derstanding what you’re saying always did voices when he read Lady Britomart’s parlor, and portraying playwright George as a character that there is very the other side served as both me things,” says Calvin on the Bernard Shaw at the beginning little opportunity for you as an the brick exterior of Barbara’s creation of his accent, “and I of the play. actor to have your own undershelter and the wall of one of also have a shapeable mouth. I When Mr. Gay released the standing of who your character is and how your character inter- cast list, I was overjoyed to find don’t really know how I do it…I Undershaft’s guncotton sheds. For the exterior of the shelter, just make sounds until they acts with other characters….[In out that I was going to play we used Academy picnic tables sound right and then I stick Major Barbara. Alongside me Major Barbara] there are more and a vintage-style Salvation with that.” were my incredibly talented immediate issues that are relIn addition to embodying our Army banner. There was also evant to young people, particu- peers, including Karina Feitner a plethora of musical instrucharacters verbally, we needed larly issues around class, charity ’14 as Barbara’s father, Andrew to take on their physical appear- ments for the shelter scene: a and the distribution of wealth. Undershaft, and Allen Gabriel sousaphone, two tambourines, a ances. Marcine Appel, a local In our economic climate, this is ’16 as Adolphus Cusins, Bara play that has resonance.” bara’s fiancé. Other leading cast costumer, generously loaned us trombone, and a marching bass drum. Undershaft’s foundry, In addition to himself as members were Claire DiLeo ’15 a range of elaborate costumes-from the beautiful dresses worn which utilized the same backa director, Mr. Gay also anas Lady Britomart Undershaft, drop, consisted of a bench; by Lady Britomart and Sarah, nounced that Christina Gabriel Connor O’Brien ’17 as Stephen two lawn chairs; boxes which P16 would be co-directing—a Undershaft, Lilah Feitner ’18 as to Barbara’s, Adolphus’, Mrs. revelation which, to me, was Sarah Undershaft, Mark Vranos Baines’ (Emma Gould ’18), and read “DANGER” and “HIGH EXPLOSIVES;” and a banner Jenny Hill’s (Odelia Forman rather intimidating. ’16 as Charles Lomax, and Caldisplaying a list of statements ’18) Salvation Army uniforms, The only thing I knew about vin Hill ’18 as Bill Walker. and the borderline rags worn by from previous generations of Christina, other than that she As Major Barbara is set in Undershafts, with our Underthe poverty-stricken Salvation is Allen’s mom, is that she is a England, we faced the task of shaft’s statement simply being, Army patrons. Rebekah BoydJuilliard-trained choreographer. developing British accents. So basically, I imagined a cruel, Barbara spoke in a posh, upper- Owens P18, 19 provided make- “Unashamed.” Karina Feitner, who played up for the cast, which ranged strict ballet teacher who would class British accent, so I just Andrew Undershaft, was the from simple eyeliner, mascara, terrorize us like dance teachwatched a lot of Julie Andrews only senior in this year’s play. and lipstick to grey hair and ers always do in cliché dance movies until I could mimic She has acted in The Academy’s chilblains. movies. her voice somewhat accurately. The set of Major Barbara was plays since she was in eighth However, she was not at all Aforementioned Calvin, who mean and had no intention of played the alcoholic, abusive Bill beautiful and professional-look- grade, and was part of the crew ing. To establish the location of for the play during her seventh harming us whatsoever—in fact, Walker (and who would never grade year. Karina has exclua scene, there was a reversible she was truly kind and had a hurt a fly in real life) had an
hen I
sively played men in her high school theater career. “I had the choice to play female characters this year, and I really wanted to play a female character, but I chose the larger role over the other possible female characters,” explained Karina. “I hope that I will have the chance to play a woman sometime in my life, but I am happy playing men. I have learned to walk like a man, and talk like a man, and sit like a man.” Of her experiences in theater, Karina says, “Theater has really taught me about public speaking, [having] confidence in myself, and it has showed me that there is more to myself than just ‘Karina.’” Karina will be sorely missed in future Academy productions. This winter, we faced our fair share of struggles with the play-we missed three consecutive rehearsals due to weather, had mid-performance set, lighting, and wardrobe malfunctions, and the majority of the cast developed the same nasty cold during performance week. But despite the time crunch, various broken props and sick actors, we were prepared for our performances and had an incredible experience putting on the show together. As for the future of Academy drama? Mr. Gay says, “I’d like to extend more theater opportunities for students who are really committed to acting, writing and directing--and I think we can do that without too much disruption in either the schedule or in student’s lives outside of school.” Mr. Gay is also teaching two theatre-based studio blocks this year. With the achievements made with Major Barbara, and the increase in theatre opportunities for students, the future of Academy theater is very exciting. All photos on facing page by Christina Gabriel P16.
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VOX • Fall 2014
The 33rd Annual Commencement: A day of gratitude
O
By Grac e E n g e l m a n ’ 1 5
n a sunny, warm afternoon in June, family, friends, teachers, and students gathered to cel-
ebrate the 33rd annual Academy Commence-
ment. Each of the seventeen graduating seniors gave a heartfelt, sometimes comical speech to thank those who inspired and supported them. By sharing memories and anecdotes, they conveyed gratitude for their time at The Academy and the lessons they will carry with them into the future. Most of the seniors specifically thanked the faculty and the staff and celebrated the distinctive Academy community. As Noah Dirks put it, “we
is befitting of The Academy and the intimacy of its community. Because this school community is so tightly knit, it is sad to see the seniors go. Two adults in the community who are also leaving this year received recognition as well. Business Manager John Baldwin was honored with the Will Sparks Award for his many years of dedication and hard work for service to the community. He received a standing ovation and enthusiastic applause. Nell Todd ’93 was recognized for her dedication to the school and her willingness to have served this past year as the Interim Head of School. Although she will be greatly missed, she will remain connected to the school as an alumna and member of the Board of Trustees.
It is bittersweet to watch another class of seniors graduate from The Academy, but we take comfort in knowing that they will always be a part of a community that has shaped their lives. In her recognition speech to the seniors, Todd assured them that “The Academy will always be a place you can call home.” As senior Regan Sun put it, “A part of myself is staying here.” He added, “When I thought about that, I was afraid because I am leaving. And I don’t know what the future looks like, so I feel lost in some ways. But there is one thing for which I am sure. No matter what barricade I will face, no matter what craziness I will encounter, and no matter what harshness I will have, I will not stop or compromise. Because I know that there is a name, a voice and a group of people, that will always support me. I am a student from The Academy at Charlemont.” It is difficult to imagine a more poignant parting sentiment than that.
time here so irreplaceable.” He went on to pronounce The Academy a “ridiculous and beautiful collection of beautiful ridiculous people.” He then thanked his peers and mentors for giving Karina Feitner admiring her Outstanding Athlete him “curiosity, ambition, award with her peers. and courage.” In a similar tone, Hannah Lessels praised her teachers for “respecting [her] as an equal” and listening to her thoughts and ideas. She remarked, “I hope that one day I can be like you guys: hardworking, dedicated and selfless.” Karina Feitner expressed her gratitude for all the roles that she has Hannah Lessels exchanging a fist bump with her father, played as an trustee Bruce Lessels. Academy the difficult task of saying giant snake” because student. She goodbye. Mike Handsaker there “were a series of became a said that, “Senior year was squeezes — applying “scholar, an actress, a like being digested by a for college, studying mathemafor finals, tician, a and deciding Noah Dirks delivering his speech. friend, a which college This and all graduation photos by therapist, to attend.” He Lorena Loubsky P15. and a went on to passionjoke, “Now, ate athlete.” And she we sit, being have all matured here in realized that it is “both digested, a group of people, adults a blessing and a curse to and wish we and students, that all could do it all depend on each other in a care this deeply about Left to right: Faculty members Dave Chalfant, Sabine again.” way only possible in such anything.” Mauri, Martha Tirk, Nancy Henderson, Rachel Merrell Mike Handsaker entertains the Some of the seniors Mike’s a small environment and audience with a descriptive simile. wacky simile and Cait Scudder enjoying the humorous remarks. it is this that has made our used humor to soften
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L-R by row: Henry Walker-West ’17, arriving in good company; the 8th graders starting the march in to the tent; the Class of 2014; the faculty following; Andrew Row with his banjo; Puringtons embracing; Feitners embracing; Mollie DonohueMeyer speaking; Elizabeth Purington and Martina Rehmus; Yunfan Jiang speaking, seniors listening to the speeches of their peers; an impromptu postceremony frisbee match.
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VOX • Fall 2014
The GRADUATES
Alex Bigelow, from Colrain, served on the Honor Council, played on the soccer, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee and baseball teams, and was very involved in the music program during his time at The Academy. His senior independent project involved teaching younger students how to play the guitar. He will attend St. Michael’s College after taking a gap year.
Noah Dirks, of Ashfield, points to his participation in The Academy’s music program as a highlight of his time at the school. Being the goalie on the soccer team, playing Ultimate, and serving on the Honor, Social Justice, and Sustainability Councils are some of his other favorite aspects of being an Academy student. Noah was also active in helping to photograph and videotape school events. His senior project entailed building a sailboat. Noah heads off to Wesleyan University in the fall.
Mollie Donohue-Meyer, from Ashfield and Shelburne Falls, served on the Community Service Council for all six of her Academy years, and notes playing lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and singing in several bands as some of her other highlights. Mollie built a yurt for her senior project. She will attend Macalester College after taking a gap year to travel, study foreign languages, and volunteer abroad.
Karina Feitner, from Cummington, loved participating in the drama program during her time as an Academy student. Karina also served as the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees, played lacrosse for all of her six years, and enjoyed singing in chorus and other musical groups. Karina was awarded Outstanding Female Athlete following her junior year. Her senior project was to research natural and artificial coral reefs, receiving scuba certification along the way. Karina heads off to Ithaca College next year.
Ezra Ginzberg, also of Cummington, notes that playing Ultimate Frisbee and serving on the Honor Council were his highlights of being an Academy student. His senior project involved logging and milling local wood, and building a cabin in his family’s forest. Ezra will attend Paul Smith’s College in the fall.
Mike Handsaker, from Charlemont, points to playing on the soccer, basketball, and Ultimate teams as some of his Academy highlights. Serving on the Social Justice Council, leading the chess club, and playing music in several school bands are also fond memories. His senior project was to work on an original proof of the four color map theorem. Mike will attend the Worcester Polytechnic Institute next year.
Henriette Horgen, of Norway and Amherst, has enjoyed her senior year at The Academy. She notes The Academy’s incredibly warm, trusting community as her favorite aspect of the school, as well as hearing music being played every day with such talent. Henriette’s senior project was a study in body-building, fitness, health and nutrition. She returns to Norway this summer to finish up her high school program there.
Noah Jacobson-Carroll, from Buckland, points to his commitments to the soccer, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee teams as some of his Academy highlights, as well as his involvement in the Social Justice Council. Noah also played a huge role in the school’s music program. Noah’s senior project, in fact, was to lead a band of his fellow students in writing and recording songs for an original album. In April, he was awarded the Thomas W. Merrigan Sr. Memorial Scholarship, given by the Franklin County Bar Association. Noah heads off to Haverford College in the fall.
Yunfan Jiang, of China and Shelburne Falls, notes that serving on the Cultural Exchange council, running with the cross country team, and playing basketball and lacrosse were some of the highlights of spending her senior year at The Academy. She also enjoyed singing in some of the bands. Yunfan’s senior project was to examine and advise on the school’s financial investments. Yunfan will attend the University of Iowa next year.
Hannah Lessels, from Buckland, served on the Community Service Council, and participated in the school’s soccer, lacrosse, basketball and ski teams throughout her time at The Academy. Hannah explored scientific illustration for her senior project. She will attend Amherst College in the fall.
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Ultimate and skiing as the highlights of his Academy years. His senior project involved building a cedar strip kayak. Jared heads off to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall.
Nate Manwell, of Conway, enjoyed serving on the Cultural Exchange Council, participating in Model UN, writing articles for Vox, and acting in Academy drama productions throughout his time here. His senior project was to write a novella. Nate will Elizabeth Purington, of attend the Williston NorthampColrain, enjoyed serving on the ton School for a post-graduate Community Service Council, year in the fall. working on the student literary magazine, and playing soccer, basketball and lacrosse throughout her time at The Academy. Other highlights include leading the knitting club during her senior year, and participating in set design and costuming for the school’s dramatic productions. Elizabeth was given the Honor Council Award following her junior year. Her senior project was a photographic, scientific, and narrative study of one side of her family’s genetic history. Jared Perkins, from South Elizabeth will attend Brown Deerfield and Florence, points University in September. to his years of service on the Athletic Council and his participation in soccer, basketball,
Council, participating in kayaking, skiing, and Ultimate Frisbee as some of his highlights. His senior project was to record an album of original music and inventive covers of blues jazz fusion and traditional Hindustani music. Andrew will attend the New England Conservatory next year.
Martina Rehmus, from Colrain, served on the Community Service Council, played on the soccer and lacrosse teams, and was very involved in the visual arts throughout her time at The Academy. Her senior project entailed creating a food blog to explore the ideas of the Slow Food Movement. After a gap year of travel, Martina heads off to Oberlin College.
Andrew Row, of Heath, points to his experiences in The Academy’s music program, serving on the Sustainability
Paul Sperry-Fromm, from Goshen, enjoyed being very active in the music program, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball, and holding roundtable discussions as part of his role on the Social Justice Council. His senior project explored the world of sports writing, with a particular focus on basketball. Paul heads off to Emerson College in the fall.
Regan (Zitian) Sun, of China and Shelburne Falls, notes that running cross country, playing soccer, basketball and baseball, serving on the Cultural Exchange Council, and singing in Academy musical groups were some of his favorite aspects of attending the school. Regan’s senior project found him conducting thorough research and writing on the conflict between North Korea and China, and analyzing the possibility of a solution. He will attend American University in September.
Senior headshots provided by Martha Tirk. Below, left: the Class of 2014. Below, right: The Academy's signature poppies in bloom on the day of Commencement. Photos below by Lorena Loubsky P17.
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VOX • Fall 2014
2013 – 2014 ANNUAL GIVING
T
he Academy at Charlemont gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their voluntary contributions during the 2013-2014 fiscal year (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). Donors are listed in the following categories: Headmaster’s Circle ($5,000 and above), Founder’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999), Charlemont Society
($1,000 - $2,499), Patrons ($500- $999), Scholars ($100 - $499) and Friends (up to $99). These listings are based on gifts recorded as of June 30, 2014. We regret any errors or omissions, and welcome notification thereof.
Headmaster’s Circle Anonymous Cornelia Kittler GP01 Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson P09, 12 Bo ’90 and Katherine Peabody Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01 Oliver ’88 and Toni Stebich
Founder’s Society Henry and Kathleen Chalfant GP19 Cleveland Dodge Foundation Andrew LeBlanc Kathy and Ben Osborne P19 Andy and Nancy Smith P06
Charlemont Society Anonymous (2) Kathleen Becker and Linda Enghagen P07 Joan and Edgardo Bianchi P09 Verne and Gail Bissell L. Adlai and Karen M. Boyd GP18, 19 Kerlin Conyngham Mrs. John Conyngham Frederick Cowan and Richard Gardner Rarie Dye Peter Engelman and Kendall Clark P13, 15 David ’87 and Angela Epstein Bill Grinnell P12 James Hardigg Hartford Foundation for Public Giving David and Margaret Howland Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom P14 Michael Lioce, Jr. GP15 John and Pauline MacLean P89, 92 Mrs. John B. Ogilvie Nancy Polk GP18 Stephanie and David Purington P11, 14 Karen and Jonathan Rehmus P10, 14 Jaka ’90 and Gadi Saarony Jim Schaefer Stuart Sclater-Booth P19 Cathy Stevens and Juliette Meeus John Thayer and Natalie Rioux P17 Martha and Ted Tirk P07 S. Richard and Susan Todd P85, 89, 93 Tony and Gisela Walker GP17 Sara Wein and Neal Anderson P16 Missy and David Wick P12
Dudley and Judith Williams Marguerite Willis Beverley and Robert Yoon P08, 10
Patrons Mr. and Mrs. David Clark, Jr. GP13, 15 Bill Ennen Amy Estes ’91 and Tobin Scroggins Ellen and Michael Feld P12 Dr. Daniel Goleman GP17, 19 Diane and Ned Gray P16 Bob and Cheryl Handsaker P14 Elisabeth and Matthew Hill P18 Ken and Laura Huff GP18, 19 Deborah Johnson-Hawks and Sally FreemanHawks P15 Megan Kendrick ’99 and Brian Murphy Jennie and Ben Markens Sarah and Mark McKusick P07, 10 Stuart Mieher P13 Karen Parmett ’86 Mary Quigley and Mollie Babize P06 Candice Reffe and Ed Hogan P13 Heather and Peter Row P14 Robert Savage P02 Michele Scanlon GP19 William Schusser Select Equity Foundation, Inc. John P. Shriver ’03 Deborah Shriver P03 Brenda and William Stafford GP04 Gerhard and Ute Stebich P88 Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior P04 Elinor Todd ’93 and Michael Beach
Scholars James and Marjorie Abel Elizabeth Adams David Adie P08, 12 Jill Arnold Peter Atkinson and Judith Wermuth George Baldwin Jeffrey and Jeanne Barron P13 Mr. and Mrs. Dave Bartlett GP07, 10 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bartlett P10 Diane and Ken Bigelow P14, 16 Mr. Sture Blom GP14 M. Jennifer Bloxam P10 Mrs. George Bluh Donald Braman ’86
Anne Brown Aaron Budine ’10 Patrick Burke ’09 Horace and Shirley Burrington Glenn and Colleen Caffery P06, 08 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell GP13, 15 Carly L. Carey ’05 Calvin and Janis Carr David Chalfant and Katryna Nields P19 Dr. Michael Coe Nathaniel Cohen and Jody DeMatteo P13 Paul Cohen GP13 Audrey Collins-Watson ’93 Jill Ker Conway Carol and Mort Corwin GP19 Drs. Sean ’88 and Jessica Dacus Jayne and Robert Dane Jonathan Diamond and Dana Blackburn P16, 18 Linda Driscoll and Nelson Shifflett P88 Jason Emrick ’94 and Magdalina Nerkarayan Maribeth Erb and Mary Finn P16 Michael and Joanna Evans Chris Farley and Juliet Jacobson P12 June Ferrin GP12 Leslie Ferrin P12 Steve Forman P16, 18 Julia G. Fraker ’04 Donald and Margaret Freeman Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Fujioka Virginia Gabert ’84 Courtney Gambino ’93 GE Foundation Obediah and Joan Gibson P90 Ian Gillingham ’86 Erica and Govinddass Goleman P17, 19 Jane and Stephen Grant P92, 94, 96 Charles Grant ’92 Robert Green ’86 Mr. and Mrs. Edmund B. Greene GP14 Justina and Patrick Gregory Mr. James Harkins GP16, 19 Tupshin Harper ’90 H. D. and Ruth Harvey GP14 Lisa Harvey and Jonathan Ginzberg P14 Donald and Patricia Henderson Nancy Henderson and Peter Adams Mary Kay Hoffman and Earl Pope P87
John and Justine Holdsworth P91 Dr. and Mrs. William Hutchinson GP12 Bob and Sherell Jacobson GP14 Liz and Matt Jacobson-Carroll P14 Peter A. Jaros ’04 and Anna Leue ’02 David Jaros ’90 and Kate Rabb Dr. Wayne Johnson GP14 Andrea and John Keins P15 Greg Kendall and Connie White P13 Phyllis Kirkpatrick P86, GP18 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kittler, Jr. Christy Knox and Peter Feitner P14, 18 Zachary Kolodin ’03 Jonathan Laffond ’93 William and Wanita Laffond P93 Brendan Levine ’01 Jerry Levine and Julie McCarthy P01 Patricia Lioce GP15 David Lonergan P16 Jon and Andrea Lynes P99, 10 Simon MacLean ’92 and Jess Striebel MacLean ’93 Vera Maitinsky GP15 Kate Marmaras Sabine and Michael Mauri P18 Thomas McCoy and Mary Byers P15 Thomas McCrumm and Judy Haupt P97 Abel McDonnell ’03 Ann McNelly Elizabeth Mead Sightler ’88 Rachel Merrell Mary L. Meryman GP09, 12 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meyer GP11, 14, 16 Penny and David Michalak P17 Irene Montague GP10, 15 Karen Moore Mr. and Mrs. James Natsios GP10, 14 Zoe A. Neeley ’13 Gail and John Nields GP19 Cassie Nylen Gray ’93 Robert and Judy Oakes P98 Oliver Osterwind Charles Parham and Roxanne Schneider P11 Henry Parnass GP04, 07 Deborah Phillips P07, 09 Nick Plakias and Leslie Taylor P04 Monica Pulci and Daniel deLesdernier P15, 16 Elizabeth Purington ’14
Herbert and Barbara Purington GP11, 14 Kate Putnam and Tim Delaney P10 Ellen and Michael Rainville P13 Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ramey Tanya Rapinchuk and Kamal Souccar P10, 16 Charlotte Rea and Robert Fricker Zeke Reffe-Hogan ’13 Donald Rosenfeld Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19 Wesley Rosner ’86, P18 Craig Rothman Elijah Rottenberg ’93 Charles Savage Eve Schocket GP17 Glenn Seberg The Reverend Neale Secor GP16, 19 Margaret Seiler and Leonard Melnick P10 Amy Shapiro P10 Ingrid Shockey P11 Lisa Slocum and Chip Weems P12 Andrew Slowinski ’00 Elizabeth Slowinski ’98 Michael and Susan Slowinski P98, 00, 01 Judith Goldman and Sheldon Snodgrass Stephanie Stebich Peter Stevens and Linn Bower Lisa Styles and Larry Parnass P04, 07 Piyali and Brian Summer P19 Ketesah Surgies Trudeau ’99 Vicki Sutton P90 Douglas Telling Ms.Yangchen Tsemtso Sithir ’02 Alexander and Aglaea Vranos GP16 William and Kathy Vranos P16 Phoebe Walker and Dennis West P17 Jacqueline Walsh and Graham Warder P13, 16 Sandra Warren and Jim Locke Guy and Deb Wheeler P97 Eamon Wick ’12 Leah Wiedmann Gailey ’93 and Christopher Gailey Marjorie L. Winfrey ’98 Masako Yanagita Bettie and Steve Zakon-Anderson P17, 19 William B. Zale ’06 Peter and Melanie Zschau P98
Friends Doris Alexander GP09 Kim Alexander Kathleen E. Alford ’07 Cynthia and Shawn Allen P13, 15 Isabelle Allen ’13 Russell Allen ‘15
Anonymous Stephen Arnold ’13 Carolyn Asbury and Peter Ranney P06 Carey C. Baldwin ’98 Shelley Barnett ’90 Addison Barron ’13 Jeannie Bartlett ’10 Davis Bates P11 Nora ’00 and Synphany Bates Zale John Bennett and Katherine MontagueBennett P10, 15 Samuel Bennett ’10 Kathryn Berrien ’86 Rylee Bethea ’10 Melvin Bigelow GP14, 16 Alex Bigelow ’14 Hannah Blacksin ’09 Rebecca Bluh ’86 and Tony Derricotte P16 Kate Branson ’03 Mackenzie Brown ’11 Thomas Brown and Deborah Felix P11, 16 Sally Miles Bruns Elizabeth Burgess Ericka Burgin ’07 Mathew Bussler ’98 Jane Byers GP15 Emily Caffery’06 Joshua ’03 and Katharine Chornyak Jaslyn Cincotta ’04 Jesse Cohen ’13 Loren Cole and Jason Cooper P08 Elizabeth Comeaux Peter Conover ’88 Ms. Rebecca Cooper ’08 Pamela Stewart Cothey and E. J. Cothey Carlotta Crissey Chandler Donna D’Fini GP16 Leah Decker ’06 Elizabeth and Jason Dirks P14 Noah Dirks ’14 Clare Donohue-Meyer ’11 Mollie Donohue-Meyer ’14 Nils Donohue-Meyer ’16 Leanne and Ed Dowd P13 Patrick Dowd ’13 Molly and Bradley Duncan Stephen Earp and Cynthia Snow Waverley Engelman ’13 Aethena Enzer-Mahler ’00 Karina Feitner ’14 Richard and Linda Feury P00, 04 Jeremy Finer ’93 Larry and Susan Flaccus Douglas Forbes and Lida Bihun-Forbes P20 Herbert and Christine Forgey P01 Gail Fries P03, 08 Mrs. Thomas Gambino P93 Neale and Christina Gay Wendy and Christopher Giard Ezra Ginzberg ’14 Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg ’08
Emily Grancio Della Green ’09 Kelly Greene P14 Colin Grinnell ’12 Sarah Grinnell ’12 Lisse Grullemans ’98 Thomas L. Hale P05 Grace Hall ’12 Michael Handsaker ’12 Hobart M. Harvey and Kim Maskell Tamra and William Hersh P15 Meg Hobbs Henriette Horgen ’14 Julia Horton ’08 Marisa HousnerGutmacher ’86 and Glenn Gutmacher Jane Hovde Deb Hoyle P05 Barry Hughes Aurie Ingraham-Adie ’12 Devon Ingraham-Adie ’08 Allen and Ann Irvine Mary Irwin and Jack Harrison P11 Noah Jacobson-Carroll ’14 Rita Jaros and Wes Talley P88, 90 Jenny Jaros Friedl ’88 and Lawrence Friedl Yunfan Jiang ’14 D. Michael and Susan Katz Tracy and Frannie Kidder William and Susan Kincade Silas Kopf Rebecca Krutsky Moraes ‘91 Pat and Tex LaMountain P90 Kate and Roland Lapierre P09 Hannah Lessels ’14 Emily Leue ’96 Daniel Leyden’05 Lara Livgard Saralinda and Jeremiah Lobrose P18 Robert Mahler and Lisa Enzer P00 Nathaniel Manwell ’14 Douglas Mason and Nina Marshall Gerard and Brenda McGovern P07 Jessamy McKay Ackerman ’89 Jacquelyn McLaughlin and John Bride GP17, 19 Carolyn Meeks William Melnick ’10 Kurt Meyer P11, 14, 16 Katherine Mieher ’13 Varis Mohler ’00 Shoshana Moriarty ’11 Paula Murphy Ann Neal James and Charlene Neeley P13, 15, 19 Bartholomew Niswonger ’92 and Eliza Lake Albert Norman and Anna Morrison P99 Kate O’Brien GP17 Damian Odess-Gillett ’92 Katharine Overgaard ’06
Pat and Ellen Owens GP18, 19 Kirsten Oxboel P19 Lynne and Eric Oxboel GP19 Sal Pace GP15 Mr. Taylor Parham ’11 Patricia Parker and William Comeaux P18 Dr. and Mrs. Richard Parmett P86, 88 Sarah J. Peck ’03 and Sean Morrison Maggie Perkins ’89 Jared Perkins ’14 Emma Picardi ’13 Miranda Pierce ’90 Sarah Pirtle P03 Ryan Pirtle-McVeigh ’03 Zoe Plakias ’04 Julian Post ’07 Geoffrey and Kathryn Precourt Kristin and Noel Prophet P18 Carol Purington Katy Purington ’11 Nancy Rapoport and Roxane Marini David ’86 and Lori Rees Martina Rehmus ’14 Simon Reid ’01 Sarah Riley ’97 Rachael Risser-Sperry ’03 Mr. and Mrs. Donald Robinson Camilo Rojas and Catalina Arrubla P17 Arcadia Rom-Frank ’13 Andrew Row ’14 Brooke S. Savage ’02 Ellen Saxe P13 John and Angela ’01 Schatz Caitlin Scudder Jill and Victoria Selleck P13, 15 Patricia Serrentino and Alexander Haro P11 Benjamin Shields ’97 and Patricia Parker Cortland Shurtleff and Sarah Millner P97 Rachel Simpson and Chris Hellman P17 Miikka Sipila ’13 Hannah Smith ’06 Mr. Mac Snodgrass and Ms. Enedina Garcia Snodgrass Janice Sorensen and Michael Hoberman P09, 13 Paul Sperry-Fromm ’14 Constance M. Sumberg Eric and Mary Sumner Rachel A. Sumner ’04 Zitian Sun ’14 Rick Taupier and Beth Haggerty P03, 05 Chris Thomas Madeline Thompson ’09 Sawyer Thompson ’12 William Thompson, Jr. ’08 Nathan Tirk ’07 Susan and Charles Titus
VOX • Fall 2014
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2013 – 2014 ANNUAL GIVING Emily Todd ’85 and Liam Harte Margaret Todd Wallick ’89 Erin Tuffy ’08 Virginia Turin GP12 Elisa M. van de Kamp ’03 Michael Vogt P06, 08 Joan Walsh GP13, 16 Molly Walsh-Warder ’13 Tobey Ward ’00 Claire Washer ’09 Elise Washer Neumann ’03 and Eric Neumann Amy Waterman Mason ’98 and Josh Mason Jesse Weeks ’99 Lauren Went Barbara and Harold Westwood P11 Willow Westwood ’11 Priscilla White P86 Todd Whitney ’03 Prudence Wholey Jennifer Wood ’01 Roberta and Jamie Wooldridge P15 Mr. Robert Wyckoff and Ms. Maya Hasegawa GP15 Christopher Yoon ’08 Ellen and Peter Zale P98, 00, 06 Ge Zhou ’13
Matching Gifts Callaway Golf Company Foundation Cleveland Dodge Foundation General Electric Foundation MassMutual Matching Gifts Program Select Equity Group Foundation
Honorary and Memorial Gifts In Honor of the Academy’s Head of School Search Committee Mary Irwin and Jack Harrison In Honor of Nora Bates Zale ’00 Hannah Smith ’06 In Honor of Siena Burgess ’15 Patricia Lioce In Honor of Mike Cardozo John Thayer and Natalie Rioux P17 In Honor of Kerlin Conyngham Rarie Dye In Honor of Dianne Grinnell Peter Atkinson Charles Savage Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior P04
In Honor of Sam Hersh ’15 Sal Pace GP15
Jennifer Bloxam Meg Seiler and Len Melnick P10
In Honor of Abel McDonnell ’03 Simon Reid ’01
In Honor of Ben Schocket-Greene ’17 Eve Schocket
Gifts In Kind Cynthia Allen P14, 15 Heidi Arnold P13 Carolyn Asbury P06 Margaret Crawford Mary Finn and Maribeth Erb P16 Sally Freeman-Hawks and Deborah JohnsonHawks P15 Denny Fuller Christina Gabriel P16 Neale Gay Erica Goleman P17, 19 Dr. Daniel Goleman GP17, 19 Ellen Koteen Michael Lioce, Jr. GP15 Janice McGuire Sarah and Mark McKusick P07, 10 Kamal Souccar and Tanya Rapinchuk P10, 16 Jaka ’90 and Gadi Saarony Chris Seaver Mark Shapiro Ben Thompson and Charlotte Meryman P09, 12 Martha and Ted Tirk P07 Jackie Walsh P13, 16
In Honor of Hunter ’04 and Jack Styles ’07 Henry Parnass
Gifts to the Senior Legacy Fund in Honor of the Class of 2014
In Honor of Zoe Plakias ’04 Nick Plakias and Leslie Taylor P04 In Honor of Stephanie Purington P11, 14 Dana Blackburn and Jonathan Diamond Carol Purington In Honor of Cornelia Reid P01 Tito, Joan and Alexander Bianchi Robert Fricker and Charlotte Rea Patrick and Justina Gregory Cornelia Kittler In Honor of Brooke Savage ’02 Robert Savage
In Honor of Martha Tirk Donald and Molly Robinson In Honor of Nell Todd Tracie and Frannie Kidder Donald and Molly Robinson In Memory of Eric Grinnell Peter Atkinson Tito, Joan and Alexander Bianchi Dana Blackburn and Jonathan Diamond John and Justine Holdsworth Jon and Andrea Lynes In Memory of Win Healy Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Fujioka In Memory of Elizabeth Hobbs Larry and Susan Flaccus In Memory of John Brace Latham Donna Brace Ogilvie In Memory of Zephyr Rapinchuk Sam Bennett ’11 Tito, Joan and Alexander Bianchi ’09
Diane and Ken Bigelow P14, 16 Sture Blom GP14 Patricia Donohue P11, 14, 16 Clare Donohue-Meyer ’11 Mollie Donohue-Meyer ’14 Nils Donohue-Meyer ’16 Marc Fromm and Beth Sperry P11, 14, 19 Kelly Greene P14 Bob and Cheryl Handsaker P14 Lisa Harvey and Jonathan Ginzberg P14 H.D. and Ruth Harvey GP14 Liz and Matt JacobsonCarroll P14 Dr. Wayne Johnson GP14 Christy Knox and Peter Feitner P14, 18 Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom P14 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meyer GP11, 13, 16 Kurt Meyer P11, 14, 16 David Perkins P14 Stephanie and David Purington P11, 14 Herbert and Barbara Purington GP11, 14 Karen and Jonathan Rehmus P10, 14 Heather and Peter Row P14
Special Event Support 2013 Cornucopia Auction, Special Thanks Doug Wilkins, Auctioneer 2013 Cornucopia Auction Underwriters People’s United Bank The Recorder Borawski Insurance Foster’s Market King and Cushman Insurance Scapes Builders & Excavation, LLC Wandy Mooney & Cathy Roberts, Coldwell Banker UptonMassamont Realtors West County Equipment Rental, LLC Zoar Outdoor 2013 Cornucopia Auction Donors David Adie P08,12 Cynthia and Shawn Allen P13,15 Katherine Anderson ’16 Catalina Arrubla P17 Emily Arsenault Onalie Arts, Body Om Massage Therapy Ute Bargmann Elaine Barnard, Greenfield Auto Specialists Pioneer Valley Ballet Erin Beaudet Laura Beck P15 Orion Becker ’07 Martin Benjamin P19 Berkshire Theatre Group Diane and Ken Bigelow P14, 16 Steve Blajewski Olivia and William Blumer Storey Publishing Linn Bower Adlai Boyd GP18 & 19 Rebekah BoydOwens P18, 19 Bread Euphoria Gail Callahan, The Kangaroo Dyer Molly Cantor Katryna Nields and Dave Chalfant P19 Geoff Christoph,Valley Bike and Ski Werks Kerlin Conyngham Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19 Edward and Jody Cothey Crabapple Whitewater, Inc. Walter Cudnohufsky Heather Cupo, Plant Euphoria Berkshire East Jayne and Robert Dane Peggy Davis Suzanne deLesdernier Pothole Pictures Dana Blackburn and Jonathan Diamond Cynthia Poirier P15
John Downie P19 Stephen Earp Elbow Room Coffee Company Kendall Clark and Peter Engelman P13, 15 Maribeth Erb P16 Optical Studio LLC Ellen Feld P12 Leslie Ferrin P12 Shanon Fleury Gene and Sue Flores Deb Freeman-Hawks and Sally Johnson-Hawks, P15 Jonathan Ginzberg P14 Jon Gould P18 Jane and Stephen Grant, P92, 96 Dianne Grinnell Mohawk Trail Concerts, Inc. Hagers Farm Market Ana Maria Harkins and Jonathan Secor P16, 19 Chai-Wallah Thomas McCrumm and Judy Haupt P97 Headwater Cider Lisa and Matt Hill P18 Laura Hill Janice Sorenson and Michael Hoberman, P09, 13 Ashfield Hardware Store Mary Kay Hoffman P87 Candice Reffe and Ed Hogan P13 Deb Hoyle P05 Sherell Jacobson GP14 Bob Jacobson GP14 Noah Jacobson-Carroll ’14 Ned James, Ashfield Tools P06 Janna Ugone and Associates Double Edge Theatre Gayle Kabaker P12 Don Kelly Erin Kelly-Dill Cummington Supply, Inc. Amy Klippenstein and Paul Lacinski, Side Hill Farm Hilltown 6 Pottery Tour Christy Knox P14 & 18 Hannah Lessels ’14 Karen Blom and Bruce Lessels P14 Mark Leue P03, 06, 07 Christine Lioce P15 Kirsten Oxboel P19 and Jim Lobley, Oborain, LLC J.R. Lobrose Keegan Lobrose Rema Loeb David Fisher and Anna Maclay Judith Maloney P91 and Field Maloney ’91 The Manwell Family P14 MASS MoCA Vera Matinsky, GP15 Mac McCoy, dZi, Inc. Mesa Verde Rachel Merrell Kurt Meyer P11, 14, 16 Penny Michalak Design P17
Carol Michelfelder Hot Mamas Food Samar and Gabriel Moushabeck P15 James and Charlene Neeley P13, 15,19 Hannah Niswonger ’90 Gina and Liam OBrien P17 Jim Olsen New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. Eric and Marion Overgaard P06, 09 Paradise Copies Elmers Store Elaine Parmett P86, 88 Jim Picardi P13 Kate Scarborough Lynn Benander and Dan Post P98, 07, 10 Sarah Prall Johanna Andersen Pratt and Jerry Pratt P05 Monica Pulci and Daniel deLesdernier, P15,16 Elizabeth Purington ’14 David and Stephanie Purington, P11, 14 Carol Purington Spencer Reynolds ’17 Sara Rose Hana Rosol P00 Jaka ’90 and Gadi Saaroni Garth Shaneyfelt Ken Shapiro, P08 Mark Shapiro Simonas Gluten-Free Baked Goods Eric Smith and the PoirierDiLeo Family Evelyn Snyder Bob White Gerhard Stebich P88 Bud Stockwell, Heavenly Chocolates Brian Summer P19 - Sun and Moon Originals Nathalie Rioux and John Thayer P17 The Artisan Gallery Ben Thompson and Charlotte Meryman, P09, 12 Nell Todd ’93 and Family Darcy Rosner and Ray Trombley, Sweet Bananaberry Turn It Up! Holly VanOrman Fitzpatrick Anasuya Weil GP17,19, Nying Je Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Bodywork Sara Wein P16 Tricia Wells P18 Lindy Whiton Prudence Wholey Felice Wolfzahn P18 Roberta and Jamie Wooldridge P15 Naima Workman, Shiva Shakti Power Vinyasa Yoga
YMCA in Greenfield Beverley and Robert Yoon, P08, 10 Alan Young Ellen and Peter Zale, P98, 00, 06
The Charlemont Legacy Society As of June 30, 2013, the following donors have made their legacy giving intentions known to The Academy. We are grateful for their forward- thinking commitment to our mission.
Anonymous Carlotta Crissey Chandler Loren Cole and Jason Cooper P08 Jayne and Robert Dane Don and Marilyn Freeman Eric* and Dianne Grinnell Russell and Mary Henne* Ernest Hofer* John William Hoth* John Brace Latham* Elisabeth B. Leete* Mrs. Rolf Merton Todd Sumner P04
If you have made bequest provisions naming The Academy at Charlemont as a beneficiary of your estate, we would welcome the opportunity to honor such an expression of confidence by including your name in this listing in the future. *deceased
The Academy’s 2014-2015 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.
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VOX • Fall 2014
2013 – 2014 ANNUAL GIVING
G IV IN G TO TH E AC AD E M Y Types of Giving ANNUAL GIVING • The Academy relies on the generous, annual support of our community of alumni/ae, 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 inquiries 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. ENDOWMENT GIFTS • 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. Most recently, family and friends established the Eleanor (Ellie) Lazarus Memorial Fund for the Arts to support The Academy’s Studio Block program (see related article).
Ways to Give The Academy accepts gifts by check, money order, or credit card and gifts of appreciated securities. O N L I N E G I F T S • Please visit www.charlemont.org/give to make a secure online gift with a credit card. Online gift processing is available for one-time or recurring gifts. RECURRING GIFTS • 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.
• 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. M AT C H I N G G I F T S
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. G I FTS OF APPRECIAT ED SECUR IT IES • 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.
The Eleanor (Ellie) Lazarus Memorial Fund for the Arts
T
he family and friends of Eleanor Lazarus, herself an educator and a supporter of the arts
in education, have established The Elea-
nor (Ellie) Lazarus Memorial Fund for the Arts at The Academy at Charlemont, to honor her passions and her fondness for the school. The purpose of The Fund is to support the Studio Block arts program at The Academy, and specifically to enable the school to continue to attract visiting professional artists to work with students in an abundant variety of media and disciplines. Since its founding in 1981, The Academy at Charlemont has valued and embodied the principles of a classical education including an emphasis on the importance of balance among all avenues of learning: academic, artistic, and athletic. A former Ashfield resident, Ellie first became involved with the school as a guest “artist in residence”, working with an
upper level art class. She died in February 2013. This endowed fund will continue to accept gifts. A portion of income will be used for artist stipends, with the balance being reinvested over time. To make Ellie lecturing to two attentive students (her an endowment black labs). Photo provided by the family. gift to support The Academy’s Studio Block arts program, please visit www.charlemont.org/give.
Senior Legacy Fund ~ A Family-Supported Endowed Scholarship Fund
W
ith gifts
parent-managed project. Each year the fund has grown increreceived mentally and now has a value of over $25,000. Income from this year these funds can now be used to support The Academy’s missiondriven commitment to support in honor of the Class of diversity in our student body. 2014, the Senior Legacy Fund Parents and others looking to has grown to a level where it can honor members of the classes begin to support financial aid. of 2015 and beyond can begin Established by The Acadto consider their own future emy in 2010 as a legacy giving gifts to the Senior Legacy Fund. opportunity for parents and As the principal increases and families, soliciting gifts for the generates more income, it will Senior Legacy Fund has been a
provide a growing resource for aid to students with established financial need. The Academy is grateful for the efforts and generosity of the families of graduates over the last five years for launching the Senior Legacy Fund, and we look forward to its continued growth.
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2013 – 2014 ANNUAL GIVING
Why I Support The Academy By Sean Dacus ’8 8
I
am proud to say that I graduated from The Academy at Charlemont. I was fortunate to be able to attend The Academy in its infan-
cy, having visited the school during its first year. I am proud to be a member of its second incoming class. It was compelling to join a school that was so new and full of bold energy. The academics were rigorous and inspired us to think critically. The arts were enlivened in our classes and we embraced their expression in many forms. The athletics were earnest and galvanized a sense of camaraderie amongst the students. These elements, along with a passionate and dedicated faculty and an untried but sincere student body, came together to create a remarkable community. The continued success of the school was dependent upon each of us, working together. Everyone was invested and
involved, and it truly felt like our school. We studied together, taking responsibility not only for our individual success but the success of our classmates as well. We played together, making sure to include and support our friends and peers. We wrote an honor code to help govern ourselves and we held each other to the standards we set forth in those words. We created a community full of heart, conscience and vigor. We created a community of caring and committed citizens. Over the years since I graduated from The Academy I have relied upon the lessons I learned during my time there in countless ways.
“Over the years since I graduated from The Academy I have relied upon the lessons I learned during my time there in countless ways.”
parents during my time at The Academy are very dear to me and I’m happy to say that many still endure. I’m always happy to see or hear from an old Academy friend. The experiences we shared and the community we created have played a large role in helping to form the person I am today and for that I am grateful. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of alumni, faculty and families from more recent generations and am delighted with what I’ve observed. So many of the attributes and ideals that I admired and cherished in all of you who were at The Academy in the early days continue to flourish in the school’s current form. It made me proud this winter when I heard a Charlemont local with no direct connection to the school say. “That school puts out great kids. I’ve never met one I didn’t like.” I believe in this community that we all helped to create. I still feel that I am a member of it, and I hope that you all do too. I give because I want to help assure that The Academy will thrive and continue to provide all of our communities with ful community, are as “great kids”, as we cerimportant as any lessons tainly can never have too I have learned. many of them. The friendships that I formed with fellow students, faculty and
“My teachers' efforts have been most appreciated, as it has become clearer and clearer that they didn't teach me what to think so much as how to think for myself.”
Progressing through my academic career and embracing the role of a lifelong learner I have always felt as if I was well prepared. My teachers’ efforts have been most appreciated, as it has become clearer and clearer that they didn’t teach me what to think so much as how to think for myself. This skill, along with valuable lessons learned on how to build, nourish and maintain a success-
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VOX • Fall 2014
CLASS NOTES
1988
1990
1996
Jenny (Jaros) Friedl writes “Life is barreling along here in Arlington, Virginia for Team Friedl. Lawrence is now Director of the Applied Sciences program at NASA, and I am still consumed (in a good way) with being Mom to Porter (6 and a half) and Lindy and Ty (4 year-old twins). A change of schools starting this fall will transition all three kid-
Tupshin Harper is currently working in big data technology. He writes: “Moved to New York two years ago. In the process of relocating to Guilford, VT.”
Sara Pedrosa writes “I live in Austin, Texas. I’m a grad student at the University of Texas School of Information. My spouse’s name is Hawk and my daughter’s name is Ines (she’ll be 2 in October), and we have a lovely mutt named Lula.”
1991
Francesca (Dudley) Passiglia is an overworked, married mother of two. When not at her day job she is rallying for the construction of a new local skate park, leading Daisy Scouts, meeting with the local Recreation Commission of which she is chair, training for triathlons she plans to place in, building parade floats and otherwise Lawrence and Jenny Friedl ’88 filling any possible downtime in her life. dos to the same school for the same She attributes this hectic lifestyle choice to The Academy’s emphaamount of time (all day!), so after six years of being home with young sis on community volunteering and mandatory sports during her children I will actually have some formative years. Perhaps you’ll see time to myself. Going from having her extensive collection of sharpiekiddos at home to having them in markered PTO posters at the 2016 school all day will be a big change Whitney Biennial if you keep your for all of us. I plan to start out the eyes peeled. fall enjoying myself thoroughly, then expect to have a decent-sized mid-life crisis as I face this next phase in my life. Hoping to take that time to figure out (again) what I want to be when I grow up and proceed from there. Never a dull moment!” Beth (Mead) Sightler writes “I am the Executive Director of ChamSimon McLean ’92 and Jess Striebel ’93 with Corplain Community Services, a specialized nelia Reid P01 (faculty emerita and trustee) at a wedding in LA. service agency that supports Vermonters with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s a lot Olga Peters writes “I’m spending of fun and a lot of work. Home life is boys and more boys and bees and the summer catching as much sun chickens in our beat-up rambling, and beach time as possible - okay so I got as far as buying a new bathing ramshackle downtown homestead. suit - between newspaper deadlines Be in touch if you’re nearby, I’ll at The Commons. Looking forward tell you where to get the best fries, to some Feng Shui and new writing watch the sunset and get your feet projects on the horizon.” dirty.”
1993
1997 Matreya Hughes writes “I’m living near the White Mountains in New Hampshire (moved here because of my fiancé’s job). We will probably move back to Massachusetts within the year. We have a 14 month-old, Chloe, who is a joy and being new parents is a wonderful adventure. I’m (still) working on my small clothing design biz (treya) as much as I can but am mostly a stayat-home mom these days. I try to paint when I can but don’t have too much free time lately. Mostly we’re just enjoying the gorgeous scenery and fresh mountain air.”
and Pedrosa reunion while we were there. Dan Tuttle writes “I continue at Life University working on my Doctor of Chiropractic. I was recently published in the American Journal of Case Reports with an article titled ‘Adult bile acid amino transferase deficiency’ which looked at the interaction of gut function and changes in brain activity.”
Amy (Waterman) Mason writes “I’m living in Westfield with the spouse and the daughter, who’s almost 2. I’m now working for Ludlow Public Schools. We’ve been spending the summer visiting family and traveling in New York, Ohio, and Ontario.”
Elizabeth Slowinski is a second year student at The Smith College School for Social Work. Lisse Grullemans Lisse Grullemans ,98, scoring a hug She will be writes “Living in from celebrity comedienne, Mindy a clinical Park Slope Brooklyn Kalig. intern at Wiland working in Soho liams College for Bliss Spas. I run this comcontent and community for this ing year and is minimally excited about the 45-minute daily commute cult classic beauty brand and also work on strategic partnerships and from Shelburne Falls. Elizabeth’s extracurricular activities include being on The Academy's Board of Trustees and having involved discussions about the current state of the world with younger brother and alum, Andrew Slowinski ’00.
1998
Nicholas Papananias writes “I am in the process of completing my second year at Redux Pictures in the Archive and Syndication Department. I work with photographers on licensing their photos and Above: Nicholas Papananias ’97 and Diana Pedrosa pitching their photo ’98 reconnecting in Western MA. Below: The Pedrosa/ stories and images Papananias reunion continues, as Reni Papananias domestically and ’96 plants a kiss on the cheek of Ines, daughter of Sara internationally. Pedrosa ’96. It has been a great experience so far and I look at pictures all day, which is what I always wanted to do. I also finished launching rnpphotography.com - a site I created with my sister showcasing our work on weddings, portraits and family moments. I did have the opportunity this July to spend time events. Most notably this allows with Nancy Parrish and Kevin me to have documentation of hugs Drakulich while visiting Western from funny ladies.” Massachusetts and we even had an opportunity to have a Papananias
1999 Ketesah (Surgies) Trudeau and her husband Justin (and their 3 cats) are enjoying the house they bought in Belchertown last August —and they’re expecting a daughter in September! (Editor's Note: Ketesah and Justin indeed welcomed baby Leona into the world on September 3.)
2000 Anna Drakulich writes “I’m still teaching Spanish, Art and Music at a private elementary/middle school here in Southern California, and am passing my free time with cycling, hiking and traveling. Life is good.” Aethena Enzer-Mahler continues to live in Northampton and when she’s not working as a child therapist, she is working to check things off her list of 214 goals (thank you, Tobey Ward for the inspiration!). High on the list is sending mail to friends, reading inspiring books and trying new
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CLASS NOTES things. Next up, traveling to Iceland to hopefully see aurora borealis. Tobey Ward continues to write, travel, and practice yoga from her home base of Philadelphia, which is a secretly awesome city. You can read her writing on withoutwalls. com (Urban Outfitters’ activewear brand), where she describes sports bras and workout shorts to great effect, and also blogs.
2001 Abigail Clarke writes “In 2012 I graduated from Smith College as an Ada Comstock Scholar with a BA in Health Behavior (a blend of exercise science and psychology) and was invited into the Sigma Xi. While I was going to Smith, I also completed my 200 and 500hour yoga teacher certifications and had a successful teaching practice in the Pioneer Valley, specifically focusing on Yoga Therapeutics and Aerial Yoga (at the local circus school). In the summer of 2013, I packed up my car and drove to the west coast. I’ve been running my own coaching business based from my laptop while hiking through national parks. For the winter I lived in a little beach town in Mexico for 6 months (thank you Señora Grant, everyone always comments on how well I speak Spanish). I’m now in the Pacific Northwest, where I’m leading my first Cycling & Yoga Adventure Tour with my business partner Daniel Harm. We’re spending 4 days in the Cascade Mountains this August, cycling up back country roads, doing yoga and eating really good locally grown food. We’ll be doing the same thing for a week in February in central Mexico. I’ll be teaching a Yoga Anatomy course in Cali, Columbia this October, and I’ll teach at the Ecuador Yoga Festival in November. Then after the holidays I’ll return to Mexico, where I’ll be leading more Cycling & Yoga Adventures and Yoga Retreats while continuing with my online coaching business. I write a weekly coaching letter - you can get on the list and get the inside scoop through a link on my website. www.abigailroseclarke.com.” Maya Rocke writes “Eric, 8-month old Verva, and I just bought a little cabin in Heath this summer. I will be working as the
A very Academy wedding... L-R: Andrew Slowinski ’00, Suzanne Slowinski P98, 00, 01, John (faculty emeritus) and Angela (Slowinski) Schatz ’01, Mike Slowinski P98, 00, 01, Elizabeth Slowinski ,98. new Speech and Language Pathologist for two area preschool-elementary schools. We are so happy to be back in the Happy Hills!”
so I can do other things with my spare time. I’m planning on working on my kayaking skills so I can go on river adventures with Dave (that’s been the plan for a couple of summers though - hopefully I’ll
Jenn Wood writes “Hello all! This past year I’ve been up to some shenanigans. I started building myself an 800 sq. ft. “addition” on the side of our house in Rowe.... that’s been a project. I’ve learned a lot about building - and what not to do (usually after the fact). This spring I started a new Above: Jenn Wood ’00 toiling away on her home addiposition at Zoar tion. Below: Jenn and Dave, hard at work and play. as the Assistant Manager of Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours. I’m loving the new job! I get to organize, and file, and work on scheduling... I know that might not sound exciting for some of you - but I really enjoy it. PLUS I still get to lead zip trips AND guide on the river. actually do it this year). Things are I pretty much have a well-round- just going well and I’m enjoying ed, never gets boring, awesome life... I hope it continues along this job. Personal life is great, work life path.” is great, home life is great, mental life is great - it’s shaping up to be a pretty stupendous year (knocking on wood). I’m looking forward to finishing the addition this summer
was something we had never seen before! For years I tried several different careers before admitting my true love for those tiny restaurants. My husband is a fabulous elementary school art teacher, and I tried anything that sounded like fun. Toy store manager Above: Ari peering out from within "Betty", was indeed fun, as was her food truck which houses her business, Fried being a dog trainer, but and True. Below: Sawyer ’12 and his father Ben when we decided to Thompson sought out Ari's truck while in town after seeing our Facebook post about her participa- throw every penny we tion on the television show Deep Fried Masters. had at my crazy dream, I knew I was doing exactly what I should. I found “Betty” on craigslist and it was love at first sight. About five weeks later we opened for business and I’ve never been so proud and happy. Unfortunately, we were selling deep-fried fritters which nobody wantedI was so surprised! This was the south, right!? I made a decision to scrap the menu and begin again with a new concept, nostalgic state fair style food. Fortunately, this was much more popular and we’ve stuck with the same idea since. I make all my batter from scratch every day, we fry our foods to order and never let them Arielle (Faye-Foulds) Henson sit around. writes “I’ve always loved living in We partner with other loNew England, but when I received cally owned companies to help our my Bachelors’ degree from Smith friends and neighbors succeed, College in 2006, the opportunity and that’s been some of the most to move to warmer climates just rewarding work so far. I am curcouldn’t be denied. rently partnered with a local comTo never have to shovel my post company which bikes all our driveway again? Yes please! We ‘scrapple’ away, and we love working heard Austin was cool, so my with another woman-owned food boyfriend (now my husband) and truck to deep fry their mini cheeseI packed everything we owned into cake bites! YUM! We love living my two-door car and we drove and working in Austin and welcome south. Fortunately we had heard anyone to come on down and visit. correctly, Austin is very cool, so we I’ll make you a funnel cake.” settled in, adopted a few cats and a Boston Terrier. Austin is lots of fun, with amazing food, nice people, crazy late night parties and live music everyAbel McDonnell graduated from where! One of the best features of NYU Law School in May and took this city is the food truck scene, the New York bar exam in July. This which we instantly fell in love with. fall, he’ll be joining Paul, Weiss, Tiny little restaurants with laserRifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP focus on their particular cuisine as a litigation associate. He recently
2002
2003
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VOX • Fall 2014
moved to Park Slope and is seriously considering getting a cat.
metal or mixed media sculpture).
month, but for the moment I’m currently Hunter Styles out here trying recently moved back to interview to Western MA after a few imporRyan Pir10 years in Washing- tant contacts, tle-McVeigh ton, DC, where he get access to writes “I’ve reattended college and certain comturned to eastworked in profesmunities, and ern PA, living sional theatre and if I’m lucky, and working arts journalism as conduct a few at Camphill a writer, director, interviews with Village Kimand administrarefugees while berton Hills, tor. Early in 2014 I’m at it.” an intentional he spent four The Class of 2003 at their ten-year reunion last summer, posing on cam- months traveling community Foster RanSeveral members of the class of 2006 (and co.), congreserving adults pus in the Upper Field. L-R: Elise (Washer) Neumann, Abel McDonnell, in Southeast Asia ney writes gated on a bench in Brooklyn. L-R back: Vic Sorvino, Ryan Pirtle-McVeigh, Zach Kolodin, Elisa van de Kamp, Sarah (Peck) with special with brother Jack “Here’s news Katie Overgaard, Sam Goldberg Jaffe, Nick van de Morrison, Kate Branson, and Todd Whitney. needs. Here Styles ’07, who has from the west Kamp, William Zale. L-R front: Glen Eardley-Sawyer, I’ve mostly worked as an Engcoast: Pending Kim Eardley-Sawyer, Leah Decker, Susannah Branch. worked in the lish teacher in Thailand revisions, I’ve bakery, with some since early 2013. Hunter just completed time in the orchard is currently researching a Master of Arts and CSA garden, as career opportunities in in experimental well. It’s been a joy arts, creative writing, and psychology, to learn new crafts journalism throughout and should be like bread-baking the US. graduating from (as well as homeSimon Fraser made pizza dough), University in and also to get October!” back into old ones Ali Hamdan writes like music (leading Hannah “After graduating from weekly sing-a-long Smith writes The Academy, I went on sessions at the elder “This last year to Middlebury College care home), and I finally was Hannah Smith ’06 teaching in Costa Rica. theater, too, (holiwhere I was able to study able to fulfill a famous Red Rocks Amphitheater The class of 2004 in front of their highly prized senior gift, the day plays of the Arabic, among other lifelong fantasy, to live and work and share delicious local craft German Oberufer gazebo, during their ten-year reunion. L-R: Rachel Sumner, things. After graduating abroad. I spent 6 months living brews. I currently work with chilMaggie White, Julie Fraker, Peter Jaros, Hunter Styles, Troy tradition). After from there I worked for a abroad teaching English in Costa dren with developmental disabilities two years at the vil- White. while at a Lebanon-based Rica and Australia. My favorite lesin therapeutic recreation and love lage, I’ll be moving NGO that did a number son I taught was a cultural look at interesting places this summer to it! Everyday offers new challenges to Lancaster in the fall. Hello and of projects, one of which was dethe Ashfield Fall Festival. We even present her work, including Monand rewards. Boulder is one of my much love to everyone!” recreated the pumpkin run. Howtréal, Quebec and Toulouse, France. signed to bring young people from favorite places to live, the people different religious communities ever much I loved that adventure, (And she is very grateful to Mme. are friendly and relaxed, and the Kate Branson writes “It’s been together. More recently, I decided I’m happy to be back in the states. Zale for the preparation in French mountains are at your doorstep.” a packed year. I’ve moved to an to look into PhD programs, so I was I now live in Boulder, Colorado. to help her get around in these intentional community where we accepted at UCLA’s Department My down-the-street neighbors are locales.) She likes her work but is Vic Sorvino writes “I’m just are working to create outdoor play of Geography, where I completed Leah Decker and Danny Quigley. looking forward to the day when living in Brooklyn still. I’ve been space for neighborhood kids. I con- she can report in the Vox that she my MA a year or so ago and am We enjoy concerts together at the tinue to work at the Project Libertas is no longer a student! She and her continuing on through the School, which I LOVE, where I am husband Daniel recently celebrated PhD. I’m currently writing the 3rd-5th grade teacher. I am this from Amman, Jordan, their second wedding anniverhappy.” where I am conducting presary. He continues to split his time liminary fieldwork for my between working in the maritime Todd Whitney writes “Still in dissertation. I’m hoping to industry and making art (mostly north-west Vermont. Still a nerd. I interview refugees had corneal replacement surgery in from Syria living November 2013, went from 20/400 in Jordan in order in my right eye to 20/30, a huge to get an insider’s improvement.” perspective on the role sectarian conflict did or did not play in the Syrian Revolution Zoë Plakias is continuing to of 2011 and its work on her PhD in Agricultural aftermath. That’s and Resource Economics at the the idea, anyway. University of California, Davis, and Hunter Styles ’04 and a new friend at a festival I return to the in Lopburi, Thailand. feels very lucky to be traveling to States in about a A New York City subway scene, photographed by Vic Sorvino ’06
2006
2004
VOX • Fall 2014 working as a freelance photographer/videographer at a bunch of different places like MTV, Sports Illustrated, and some skateboarding and clothing companies. Now I’m currently editing a web series for Vice.” William Zale has returned to the area from just under two years of living in Taiwan, where he was teaching English to children ages 5-18. He looks forward to slinging pork at Pekarski’s Sausage in South Deerfield over the next year, and generally enjoying life in Western MA while he figures out what comes next.
2007 Orion Becker writes “I spent part of August outside of Seattle working as a Teaching Assistant at the Pilchuck Glass School founded by glass artist Dale Chihuly. In September, I began a year-long Artist in Residency at the New Street Glass Studio which is part of the Worcester Center for Crafts.” Virginia (Gin Brooks) Mellen writes “After participating as a lead intern at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage last year, I’ve decided to get my Masters
page 27 degree in Arts and Heritage Management, while focusing on French language, in Maastricht, Netherlands starting this fall. I will be moving to the Netherlands for at least one year. My husband Eli and I currently live on Mount Desert Island in Maine, and I work and present programs at the Mount Desert Island Historical Society.”
2008 Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg writes “I’m now living in Brooklyn and recently transitioned to a new position with the architecture owner’s representation firm I’m employed at. Now a project assistant, I work exclusively out of our office located at our biggest, longestterm client, the American Museum of Natural History. And in April, I took a very, very long awaited trip to visit family in Brazil!”
2010 Isaiah Day writes “For two months of this summer, I worked for a second summer at Smith Mountain Lake Good Neighbors camp - it’s an educational summer enrichment program for elementary aged kids in rural VA. I’m moving to Atlanta to work in a charter school for the coming year with a program called Quaker Voluntary Service. You can check out the program at quakervoluntaryservice.org
Sophia Rehmus writes “I am about to start my senior year at Pitzer College where I am majoring in Spanish and minoring in anthropology. I will complete a Spanish thesis, which I hope will Gin (Brooks) Mellen ’07 and her hus- focus on definitions of commuband Eli on a wedding day hike.
nity within the Spanishspeaking population in the LA basin, and also apply for a Fulbright (country to be decided!). I will continue singing for my a cappella group, The After School Specials. This past summer I worked at The Benson Place (a blueberry farm in Heath), La Luncheonette (a cafe in Shelburne Falls), Spirit Fire Retreat Center in Leyden, and am looking forward to a trip to Europe in December and January where I will be joining my sister Martina ’14 on her gap year! In my spare time during the summer I took calligraphy lessons in exchange for fresh blueberries and wrote lots of letters to friends.”
2011 Mackenzie Brown writes “Transferred to Goucher College in Baltimore in the fall of 2013 from Whittier College in Los Angeles. Going into my final year there as a Special Education Major! Just got back from South Africa studying abroad and teaching English, how to a write a persuasive essay and math. Looking into graduate school (Vanderbilt maybe?!) to get a Master’s in Special Education, focusing on children with multiple severe disabilities with an emphasis on hearing impairments and visual impairments.” François Depireux writes “After the 2010-2011 academic year and the really nice experience as an exchange student at The Academy at Charlemont (Thanks again to the deLesderniers who hosted me and helped me through the whole year, I will never be thankful enough!!), I decided to start a bachelor in Public Relations in Liège (Belgium) and have just graduated in June 2014. Meanwhile, I had the chance to travel many times. I went to visit my very good friend [and fellow international student at The Academy in 2010-2011], Diego De Carvalho in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2012,
Lowell, where he was just travelled in elected Live Sound DirecFrance, Spain, tor. He has been playing Holland, etc. Ultimate Frisbee and SocI also had the cer, and is shooting for the chance to do 2 varsity soccer team next other amazing year. Academy friends are exchange prowelcome to buy him dinner grams in Manext time they’re in Lowell drid (Spain), and get an earful, ‘cause the first one he’s been adventuring up a was at the storm. Universidad Complutense François Depireux ’11 in Lisbon, visting fellow international alum, Diego De Carvalho ’11. Tristan Peltenburg writes de Madrid year in Air Force ROTC at “Since I graduated from (2013) and Yale.” the other one as an intern in a company called Agencia Sandor Farkas Quality (2014). writes “In my first I visited a lot of Spanish year at Dartmouth cities, met a lot of people College I have from all over the world and been involved in noticed that Spain is one (far too many) acof the nicest countries I tivities, including have ever seen! Moreover, working as an ediI planned many other trips tor for the Dartto South America, Eastern mouth Review and Europe, Asia, Russia and competing on the more. Nowadays I’m still wondering what I’m going to Woodsmen’s team. I am enjoying do in September. A master’s degree seems very important Army ROTC and looking forward to to me so I might enter at the challenges and the University of Maasrewards of attendtricht (Holland) to study in ing college while a 1-year Masters program training to be in International Business an officer. I have and keep doing what I love: Sandor Farkas ’13 sits astride the bartraveled to Israel traveling.” rel of a Sherman tank from the 6-Day not once but twice War in Israel. in this past year, Katy Purington writes “I learning about its history The Academy and left the completed my junior year at and its people. I would love USA to go back home [to Dickinson College. I spent to work with any current the Netherlands] a lot of my fall semester in Rome, students interested in the things have happened. I am learning about the city and military or Israel to further currently enrolled in a 4 year culture of Ancient Rome.” their interests!” college with an AV-specialist (Audio/video production) Kate Mieher loved her major. I also work part-time, first year at Tufts University, twenty hours per week at where she is planning on Klein Retail Group as a sales Maeve Gallaghar writes majoring in political science representative.” “I’m going to Becker College for a degree as a vet tech and and history. Over the next year, she will be working on After a summer of work working 4 jobs. I’m trying several theatrical producat Northampton’s most to start up a local pet food tions, serving as the secrebank, but that’s just in its popular ice cream parlor, tary of Tufts’ Democrats and planning stages at the moArcadia Rom-Frank intends enjoying her sophomore ment.” to return to Oberlin College year. Let her know if you’re for a second year where she in the Boston area! will act as the news editor for Oberlin College’s radio Ben Miller has had a station, WOBC and the very successful first year Isabelle Allen writes: Food and Safety Coordinaat UMass Lowell as a voice “I’ve just finished my first tor for one of the college’s year at the University of New principal, studying Sound various co-ops. Recording Technology. He Haven, as a Criminal Justice Let us know what you're up has been actively workstudent with a concentrato, alums! Submit class notes ing as an Audio Engineer, tion in Law Enforcement and photos online at doing live sound in Lowell Administration. I will also charlemont.org/alumni/classand Western Mass, as well be heading into my second notes as DJing on 91.5 WUML,
2012
2013
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VOX • Fall 2014 The Academy at Charlemont
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THROUGH THE VI EWFI NDER
eva gray ’16
enid gallaghar ’16
noah Dirks ,14
russell allen ’15
Ilaria delesdernier ’16