The Academy at Charlemont: Find your voice. Speak your mind.
A newspaper for the community of The Academy at Charlemont autumn 2024
Dungeons & Dragons & Aardvarks -Oh My! page 3
Remembrances of Foundational Academy Faculty page 14 A Strong, Strategic Start to our 5th Decade page 2
Alumni at Work: Water Infrastructure and Data Analytics page 17
By John Schatz , Co-Head of School for Academics
As we emerged from the celebrations of our 40th Anniversary in 2021 and enjoyed impressive enrollment growth over the last two years, we wanted to capitalize on the energy in our vibrant community. Much like The Academy’s Mission asks students to become their best selves, our goal was to identify how we could become a better version of The Academy over the next three years without changing those aspects that allow us to continue to deliver a rigorous education and foster joyful engagement, active citizenship, and the desire for justice in each student. During the spring of the 2022-23 school year, a planning committee composed of students, parents, alumni, faculty, Board members, and administration gathered feedback from our community about The Academy’s strengths and areas for growth. From digging through survey data, to a classroom discussion that was packed with parents, to all-student meetings facilitated by students themselves, we were able to identify our path forward in a Strategic Plan that will take us through the 2025-26 school year in five focus areas: Enrollment, Faculty, Academic Program, Social & Co-Curricular Program, Facilities, and Development. With enrollment now approaching 90, we are still striving for our goal of again enrolling 100 or more students. Due to the work of Admissions Director Katherine Anderson ’16 and our faculty, it is clear that once prospective families get in the door for any type of visit, they are excited to apply. As always, we’re continuing to explore new ways to get the word out about The
Academy to bring more families to our doorstep, as we have become more present at local events that align with our values.
We’ve also focused significant energy on supporting our faculty through professional development opportunities and a thorough compensation analysis. The creation of a personnel committee has also improved communication and kept the health and well-being of our faculty and staff at the front of the Co-Heads’ minds.
Academically, we’re looking to better document our vertical (year-after-year) alignment, improve our science facilities, and strengthen our middle school program. We have seen a wonderful resurgence of students sharing their work with authentic audiences, even more thoughtfully constructed than some of the “Exhibitions” from pre-pandemic days. With adolescent mental health being such an important area in today’s climate, we are striving to offer more social-emotional support for our students, both through our psychological consultant and through more training
with advisors. These efforts also included implementing a well-regarded program called The Social Institute in 2023-24 to support students in navigating the online world.
Our facilities have seen some of the most significant changes in years, as we have looked to reduce our ecological footprint and reimagine some classroom spaces now that we again are consistently enrolling a 6th grade and in hopes of enrollment growth. Our new 20 kW solar array, a shift to LED lighting, and the installation of mini-splits have helped us reduce our dependency on nonrenewable sources of electricity. The work of our new Facilities Manager Eric Smith has been applauded across our community as dependable, timely, and the most important reason why The Academy campus seems to be running on all cylinders. In Grinnell, reconfiguring the locker room Atalanta to a computer lab also allowed us to create a more suitable classroom in Einstein.
Finally, we continue to enhance relationship-building with all constituencies and benefitted from the feedback generated from development professional Bill Corwin’s (P19, 22) audit of our
Development Office in the fall of 2023. Development efforts have included more alumni outreach, more programming toward encouraging new parents to engage with volunteer efforts, and more creative approaches to harnessing the philanthropic energy of our community. We continue to look for ways to engage donors who may have particular interest in some of our more sizeable capital projects or specific programming goals.
We have accomplished a great deal in our first twelve months since rolling out our plan, and much is yet to be accomplished. Specific projects require our continued attention, such as curriculum documentation, enhancing professional development support, improving retention efforts, increasing the number of admissions inquiries, and providing more social-emotional support resources for students. We hope that others, such as updating our science facilities and offering more upper school electives, will get off the ground soon. With our new Strategic Plan guiding us, we know there is hard work ahead, but look forward to embracing the results it bears for our students and staff.
By Zorah Miller ’25
Studio blocks were in full swing the day I first visited The Academy as a prospective student. Students buzzed around me, eager to find their way to familiar classrooms and interests. As I explored each of those classes, one by one, I was amazed by the liveliness and creative spirit of the small community. The value placed on artistic expression drew me to the school, and, after observing the Women Who Rock group, I instantly felt at home. I was so enthralled that I remained there for the entire period, engrossed by the powerful vocals and driving rhythm of the Lake Street Dive song. I was impressed by the self-governance of the students, although there was always an instructor present. It was unlike any school program I had engaged with before. Reflecting on the way I felt that
first day, I realize I have the same feeling I had nearly two and a half years ago; only this time, I’m an active participant in that magnetic energy.
The music program at The Academy has gone through some changes during the two years I’ve been a part of it. Saying goodbye to the beloved and talented Karl Helander as Music Director was sad for all who participated in the program under his teaching. However, it meant finding a new Director in Scott Hoffman, a returning faculty member who has brought abundant enthusiasm to the role. Carrying with him a love for soulful grooves and vintage sounds, as well as, a familiarity with Academy culture, he has thrown himself into many projects. Aside from teaching studio blocks such as Roots and Soul (a class that explores the diverse world of Americana) and Under
the Radar (a group that honors classic rock and alternative tracks), he has coordinated several projects on the side, including co-leading the school singing group with Nick Clark ’21 and organizing students to perform at various school events.
Mr. Hoffman has approached the music program with a fresh vision and implemented new ideas. He gave me his insight on the strength of the studio block environment and how it’s progressing. “Last semester, we tried something new. On several occasions, we had all the studio block groups perform for each other during class. It was so great to see their enthusiasm and support for each other and how much they enjoyed it. It was cool to see that outside of the concert setting, and I think it helped make the groups stronger.” These opportunities to showcase the work we had put in
during the semester-long classes were invaluable. They not only allowed us to practice playing for an audience but also gave us a chance to connect with fellow classmates and friends through fun and relaxed jam sessions.
The brilliant Erin McKeown (known as “Coach” to students) has been another wonderful addition to our musical community. This year I was honored to be in some of their classes and benefit from the experience and versatility they bring to their teaching. Being a lover of songwriting, I was overjoyed to work with Coach in their songwriting and audio production class over the fall semester. It was refreshing to see a different side of making music incorporated into studio block time, apart from the performing aspect. Coach played us new songs and works in progress, showed us the basics of produc-
tion, and gave us insight into their creative process, helping us garner the confidence to explore those things for ourselves. Erin McKeown championed the Women Who Rock group this year, something I was also a part of. From the very first class, Coach emboldened students to share their personalities through music. They call it a “musical handshake”: allowing people to introduce themselves and individually play for the group. The value placed on growing beyond your comfort zone was, for me, a highlight of Coach’s classes. Being first and foremost a singer, I was excited to see Coach push my boundaries by encouraging me and other students to experiment with other instruments. As a result, I got to play the keyboard for the concert, which was a welcomed change for me.
We were exceptionally pleased to also add Vanessa Brewster to the Academy musical team. With her specialty being in vocals, this year she organized the singers and introduced more structure to vocal arrangements. She brings a delightfully bubbly energy alongside a fantastic ear. As a singer, I deeply appreciated her consultation in our classes. This kind of dedicated attention to the vocals was something that was missing in the program previously. She voiced her enthusiasm, saying, “I was new this year, but blown away by the talent! The students are able to pull off mind-blowing performances and I am psyched to share my expertise and partici-
pate in the magic!”
The spring concert that closed out the 2023-2024 school year was a highlight for many students and faculty, with some saying it was one of the best concerts they’ve seen from The Academy. In the words of music instructor and alumnus Nick Clark, “The spring concert really was a highlight of the year for me; that was one of the best shows all around in a long time. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of the performances that were put on that night and for how hard everyone in the program worked to make that show as good as it possibly
could be. I really enjoy being able to expand the kids' musical horizons and help them put the best musical version of themselves out there the same way the program did for me when I was a student at The Academy not too long ago.”
For graduating senior Ellis Wahlstrom ’23, the spring concert was the perfect way to conclude her musical journey at The Academy. “I believe that the music program here has shaped so much of who I am, so having the concerts as a way to mark growth and celebrate all of the hard work and everyone’s love for music is a really beautiful thing.” The concerts are, at their core, a celebration—a celebration of the joy, love, and energy that gets poured into the music from everyone involved. “At The Academy, they want to give everyone a chance to experience the music,” says student musician Isabela Boehmer ’28. She believes that inclusivity is part of what makes the program so special. And, while watching the spring concert and seeing the engagement from students, faculty, and audience members alike, I recognized the unique community that first drew me to The Academy.
Published annually by The Academy at Charlemont
1359 Route 2 Charlemont, MA 01339 (413) 339-4912 fax (413) 339-4324
academy@charlemont.org
Contributing Writers
Nora Bates Zale ’00
Hannah Smith ’06 Jasper Butler-Kurth ’24
Adam Lafield
Lev Marmer ’29
Zorah Miller ’25
Contributing Photographers
Doug Mason P27 Academy Staff
Editor Nora Bates Zale ’00
Adam Lafield
Production Mike Grinley P23
The Academy at Charlemont does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in its education, admissions, and financial aid policies, or in any other programs and policies administered byThe Academy.
By Jasper Butler-Kurth '24
For this year's drama performance, The Academy at Charlemont produced the play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Capek, translated by Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair.
Rossum's Universal Robots (RUR) is a drama written over 100 years ago by the Czech writer Karel Čapek. It is notable for introducing the word “robot” to its present colloquial usage, originally derived from the Czech word for worker. The play has three acts and an epilogue.
In Act 1, we are introduced to Harry Domin, played by Lucas Tikkala-Cutler ’26, the general manager of a factory that produces human-like robots on a remote
island. Harry is going about his everyday routine dictating letters to his robot secretary Sulla, played by Nola Linder ’30, and getting waited on by his other robot secretary played by Maeve Wahlstrom ’30. His day is interrupted by a visit from Helena Glory, played by Fallon Paxton ’26. This unexpected visitor is secretly a representative of the Humanity League, an organization that wishes to liberate the robots. Before Harry Domin knows her secret, he takes her
on a tour of the island factory, and the two have a conversation about the origins of the robots, meet the scientists, and Alquist the builder, played by Ainsley Murray ’26. In the ensuing conversation, Helena reveals her affiliation with the Humanity League, and argues that robots have a soul, but eventually agrees to marry Harry Domin.
In Act 2, we move forward 10 years, Helena and her Nana, played by Roosi Isupov ’28, are discussing current events, and
the new worldwide robot-based economy. It is slowly revealed that there has been a revolt of the robots on the mainland. The humans on the island factory temporarily believe that the robot revolt has been crushed only to have it revealed that the revolt has been successful on the mainland. In secret, Helena destroys the formula required to create new robots. The robots lay siege to the island factory and breach the main office where our protagonists have taken cover. Harry
Domin briefly repels them using a remote control device.
In Act 3, the humans on the island factory continue to fight for survival. They are trapped in their office and try various ways to protect themselves from the robot attackers. The humans try creating a defensive barrier which holds for a little while but they know it will not be enough. The humans try bargaining with the robots but fail. Eventually, the robots overcome the barrier and kill all the humans except Alquist because he is a builder.
In the epilogue, Alquist tries to build more robots but cannot. The robots are slowly dying off and Alquist is the last human alive. Alquist has hope when he sees two robots, Helena and Primus, played by Zorah Miller ’26 and Jonah Pollock ’25, develop a spontaneous attraction to one another. The play ends with Alquist referring to this pair of robots as Adam and Eve.
In many ways, the play was uniquely challenging to produce. One major element of this was working with a text that was a Czech to English translation. Many cast members commented on the somewhat unintuitive sentence structure of the language of the play, making memorization more difficult. All of the actors portraying humans had a large number of lines to memorize. For the leads (Lucus and Fallon) the number of lines they had was more than double what could be expected for the leads of a typical Academy production.
I particularly enjoyed playing
Dr. Fabry, a human scientist. In the play, all of the human scientists, Dr. Fabry, Dr. Gall, and Dr. Hallemeier played by Mabel Chesnes ’25, are meant to be very friendly with one another and act as though they know each other very well. Fellow senior, Ellis Wahlstrom ’24 played human scientist Dr. Gall. Ellis described the experience as such “I think that the roles of the scientists this year were pretty unique and that we all needed to play roles of a group of people who were very very close and for many of us this was perfect since we've been acting together for a while now.” For the actors playing the robots, many of them were new to The Academy theatre program and thus had fewer lines than the humans. Luna Petrovato ’26, who played the robot Scipio, described the rehearsal process saying “it wasn't that hard. There are not many lines. I don't think anyone really struggled.” Overall, the play was a very fun production for all those involved. I believe it will be remembered fondly, not only for the quality of the end product but also for the friendships and community that were built in its production. The Academy theatre program continues to grow stronger as demonstrated by the actors and tech crew throughout this production. Even though this was the last Academy production for myself and three other seniors, Ellis Wahlstrom ’24, Santiago Zendejas-Solis ’24, and Aiden Sim ’24, I know it will continue to be a popular and important piece of Academy culture.
Thinking back on her Academy experience, Hazel notes “There are a lot of things that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Performing in the band. Making the documentary, and then I received a lot of positive feedback which was really nice.” Hazel also men-
Reflecting on his Academy experience, Jasper remembers the Drama program as an amazing opportunity, as well as the trivia team, and the Model UN (which he plans to continue with in college). And while working on his senior project (a re-envision-
tioned free periods (and the ability to connect with the community), the maple sugar project (see above-mentioned documentary), and housing an exchange student as additional highlights. Future plans include pursuing a flight career at Northampton Airport.
ing of Magic: The Gathering), Jasper realized that this was actually something he should think about doing seriously for the long-term. For future plans, Jasper is going to Grinnell College to study economics and maybe sociology.
At The Academy, Aidan appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Spanish language and culture. This experience has inspired interest in possibly learning other languages as well. Another engaging opportunity was Aidan’s senior project in
One of the things Paloma appreciated most about The Academy was all the outdoor activities. Especially meaningful was teaching the foraging class, which also turned into a senior project and a chance to go to the Island School. In fact, these experiences
computer game programming. One thing that really stood out for Aidan was the chance to engage with those who were in a different grade and building a sense of community.
Paloma Hsiao-Shelton
have laid the groundwork for Paloma’s future studies! Other notable memories include access to the river and cross-country coaching. As far as next steps, Paloma plans to attend Bowdoin College.
For Skye, the sense of community really stands out at The Academy, especially the way in which students truly care about everyone–not just those who are in the same grade. Something surprising for Skye was how much he loved Global Studies and even the STEM classes. The opportunity to be a TA and to take AP classes were a great way for students to push
For John, one of the most impactful experiences at The Academy was his senior project, which entailed a study on the quantity of low head dams, as well as data and the core functionality and efficiency of turbines in relation to the dams. Having received all the needed resources and plenty of guidance along the way, the
themselves further and also learn more about interests they didn’t even know they had. Skye's senior project (a study on the impact of invasive species on maple sugaring trees) was a meaningful experience that will certainly guide his future plans and studies at University of California Santa Cruz.
John McVey
process confirmed for him that his future definitely involves engineering. Other notable experiences included Physics, kayaking (and the opportunity to instruct others), and all the great lunches from Cassandra. John looks forward to college and also to being able to work as a kayak instructor during summer breaks.
Thinking back, Reid explains that he really enjoyed growing through the pursuit of music and the arts while at The Academy. They’ve played a major role in all four years of his time at the school. Beyond that, he speaks fondly of all the different things the school has to offer to help students stretch them-
selves. When reflecting beyond music and arts, the Sustainability Council really stands out as something meaningful for Reid, allowing him to grow his leadership skills. For next steps, Reid is attending Washington University.
Aiden truly enjoyed how knowledgeable and passionate the instructors were, noting that he received a well-rounded education. But what really excited Aiden the most was physics, one of his favorite subjects. Despite his affinity for STEM field classes, Aiden’s senior project revolved around music and
music production, and this experience stands out as one of Aiden’s highlights at The Academy. For future plans, Aiden plans to attend Westfield State University and is currently exploring options before selecting a major.
For Julien, environmental science was one of his favorite and most important experiences. He mentions the value of the maple sugar project, botany, and just being outside for so much of the academic year. All of this played heavily into Julien’s senior project (a deep exploration of the bonsai cultivation process), which is very much a reflection of what he plans to do in the future. Next steps in Julien’s career include attending Ithaca College.
When asked about an Academy experience that inspired Ellis, she explains “I feel like almost everything I am is somehow a result of this place.” Studies in literature and creative writing really stand out as something that helped her to stretch and grow. Other highlights included her long tenure in the drama program, serving as Student Represen-
Santiago describes personal growth through the drama program. “The whole process of drama was initially very hard for me, because I am very stubborn. But my parents talked me into doing it. It paid off once I stepped on to the stage. It changed me in a good way. Made me less shy, helped me
tative to the Board, leading a studio block for her senior project (around creating safe spaces for girls and building wilderness skills), and music. Ellis’s exact plans at Skidmore College are to be determined, but she notes that the course of study will certainly involve sociology.
develop my public speaking skills, and more acting.” Other highlights of The Academy experience included arts, environmental science, and team-building through frisbee. Future plans for Santiago involve going to GCC. Santiago Zendejas-Solis
By Lev Marmer ’29
One of the things I was most excited about when I decided to join The Academy was the Dungeons and Dragons Studio Block. It turned out that I wasn’t the only one. This year, both the fall and the spring Dungeons and Dragons studio blocks had more than one-fifth of the students at the school–and with good reason. Dungeons and Dragons, also known as D&D, is a tabletop roleplaying game that revolutionized the gaming industry when it came out in 1974, and has since been played by an estimated 50 million people.
Dungeons and Dragons takes place in the imaginations of the players. Each player uses a system of rules to create a compelling
and add their Deception bonus. If the total was high enough, they would succeed, and they could decide what to do next. However, if it was too low, the DM would describe how the guard glowered at them and told them never to come back.
While it has a reputation for being nerdy, weird, and in some cases, even wrongly associated with things like satanism and witchcraft, D&D actually makes people smarter and more creative and helps them make good friends. It is cooperative and fun, and sometimes the games can lead to memories that last forever. For example, in one session my character walked up to my longlost brother who had become evil and I said, in my character’s voice, “Please, listen to me…” and then I looked at my DM, Santiago ’24, and asked, “Wait, what’s my brother’s name?” Santi said he didn’t know, so we decided that my brother’s name was I-Dunno. In that same session, my character heroically sacrificed himself by tackling I-Dunno into a wall of fire created by Seeley ’29. That session was really fun, and I doubt I’ll ever forget it.
It is not uncommon for the love of D&D to be reflected in Aardvark attire!
hero in a fantasy world, such as an orc fighter or an elven wizard. Then, another player known as the Dungeon Master, or DM, describes the world and characters around the heroes and the perils that they must face together. Situations involving luck and chance are settled with a roll of a 20-sided die, and various other dice are used to determine things like the damage that an attack will deal. For example, if a hero was trying to trick a palace guard, the DM might ask them to roll the die
The school’s Dungeons and Dragons studio block, led by music teacher Liam Birkerts, takes up blocks B and C on Tuesdays. At the beginning of the semester, we split up into small groups, each with its own DM. We continue to play in those groups for the entire semester, forming strong friendships and generally having fun. The studio block started 3 years ago when Liam came to the Academy. He has been playing D&D for 15 years, and when I asked him what his favorite part of the Studio Block is, he told me, “I really like the enthusiasm that everyone brings to it… And because we
have different groups, I like that everyone has different experiences.” I always look forward to Tuesdays, when I can sit down, collect my dice, and slip into the role of Edrolophen Ontinous
(you can call him Ed), a curmudgeonly changeling druid who is a really good chef. Overall, I feel very lucky to be able to play my favorite game of all time every Tuesday as part of school.
All photography by Katherine Anderson ’16
The Class of 2029 (rising 9th grade), described by all of their teachers, addressed by Erin MacLachlan and Rafael Kelman: “Spectacularly goofy, sweet, silly, energetic, clever, and creative. Remarkably engaged, enthusiastic cohort, brimming with curiosity and an infectious zest for learning, all while displaying a delightful sense of humor. Questioning, debating, joking…but also deep listening and careful looking. Somehow both calm and energetic?”
Nora Bates Zale '00, Co-Head of School for Community - Address to the Class of 2024, after using a hot air balloon trip as a metaphor for each senior’s skill sets and contributions to the group: “As your time together here draws to a close, and the day-to-day life as an Academy student becomes a distant memory, I hope that that time and those memories, and any hard edges within, will soften. I know you all take with you some things, I think many things, that you will cherish, and I hope the strength of those little embers will glow more brightly as the years pass, perhaps someday becoming hot enough even to power an aircraft. You are joining a decades-old club of humans who were also once held so tightly within the basket of this little community, who once felt how I imagine you might feel right now–both thrilled at the prospect of launching out of the basket into the unknown, and also slightly terrified at what that will really look like, how that will really feel. … If the adults here have done our jobs right, while you may flounder a bit or even start to plummet towards a certain unfavorable outcome, you’ll either remember yourself or realize it’s ok to call out for help or a reminder on how to
open your parachute, your own mini-balloon, and you’ll land on your feet, more or less. Perhaps a little bruised and breathless, but grounded again once more.”
The Class of 2024 in their own words:
Hazel Berner: “It is weird, being confronted by what you once were. And as your life goes on, and you have been so many different things, that confrontation happens more often than not. I hope I will end up looking back on those versions of myself that I once was with love.”
Jasper Butler-Kurth: “The personal growth and sense of com-
munity, not to mention the fun that this school has offered me, means more to me than being able to say I am a graduate. Just like how you don't receive all of your sense of fulfillment and personal growth from a job on your payday along with your paycheck, you do not receive the personal growth of high school when you get your diploma. Today changes nothing; I'm still the same person I was in the morning, but I have changed a lot since I first walked through those doors.”
Aidan Crofts: “I really appreciate this community and everyone I’ve interacted with in any way. You’ve all been so kind to me, and I don’t know if I would have
been able to make it through this year without you.”
Paloma Hsiao-Shelton: “Throughout this time, but especially this year, even especially this week (when I’ve actually been listening), my teachers and peers and family have taught me about who I want to be in the future. They have taught me just how much work it takes to fulfill their lessons and how necessary it is to try. In a world led by definite answers, be flexible and see every shade of gray between black and white. In a world full of hatred and jealousy, be kind and generous. In a world where depression and self suppression is becoming the norm, bloom. It IS hard
work. I'm not trying to teach you anything—yet, but maybe you feel the need for rebellion against the norms of society like I do. To me hard work is joy, and to work with joy creates more joy! Make the hard work meaningful.”
Skye Loomis: “This ceremony should be thought of as the celebration of who we have all become throughout our time at The Academy, how we have changed in our pursuit of said achievements. And we have certainly all changed a lot, I mean, I was a little shrimp in 7th grade, if you saw the pictures Katherine put up on the Face Board, you know what I mean. Anyways, this speech is an acknowledgement that we would not be who we are today without The Academy, and an appreciation for those who made it possible.”
John McVey: “I want everybody to remember to always hold themselves to the highest standard. Set your expectations high and strive to meet them. Now I’m not just talking about doing your homework on time, ‘cause that speech would just be boring, while, yeah, that is important to do your homework, everyone already understands that expectation… uhh, maybe. Well, I do want one thing to be clear: high expectations don't mean high grades. They mean that you’re planning for your future whatever it may look like so that you can go the farthest and do the most and ultimately enjoy life.”
Reid McVey: “Beyond the friends and teachers, The Academy has traditions. Since 9th grade I have championed one tradition, Thought for the Day. For the uninitiated, every morning at the end of Morning Meeting a student offers a quote they think is aspirational, inspirational, or hilarious. I kept track of every TFTD. For example, the first Thought for the Day I gave in freshman year was ‘Don’t let the bastards grind you down.’ The Handmaid's Tale,
Margaret Atwood. I don’t have time to recite to the other 12 now, but what is tradition if you can’t break it? So let me break tradition and offer you all something I love so much, my last TFTD. ‘Charlemont, thank you. It’s truly been a pleasure.’ Reid McVey, Class of 2024.”
Aiden Sim: “I won’t sugarcoat anything here; my time at The Academy hasn’t been perfect. It’s had its fair share of rough patches and reality checks, BUT I wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe that’s confusing to some of you who were more familiar with my journey, particularly this year, but the insights that I’ve gained, through conflicts, roadblocks, and the strong relationships I’ve built, I’ve acquired at least a framework of how to be entering the adult world. Because the reality is that life beyond The Academy won’t be perfect, far from it in fact, as you all probably know. If I left The Academy with a stellar experience where nothing went wrong for me, what kind of attitude would I be going into the real world with?”
Julien Toth-Cahn: “Thank you to The Academy for being my second home for the past six years. Thank you to my teachers, who made learning enjoyable, and helped me discover interests that will continue on with me beyond The Academy; who made me feel comfortable being myself in their classrooms, and throughout my time here, shaped what that looked like. Lastly, thank you to my friends, for making me want to wake up and come here every morning, for pushing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to try new things. For making me grow, not just to one up one of you, but because you make me want to improve myself.”
Ellis Wahlstrom: “Recently I have been thinking a lot about gratitude. I think this was initially sparked in an EnviSci class where we had been talking about
the human instinct to over-consume and that gratitude for what is already abundant in a world of overconsumption is then inherently a radical act. In these last few weeks, I think it is safe to say that the seniors in particular have been eager for school to end. I’ve been feeling agitated
Class of 2024
Hazel Berner Northampton, MA
Jasper Butler-Kurth Easthampton, MA
Aidan Crofts
Shelburne Falls, MA
Paloma Hsiao-Shelton Plainfield, MA
Skye Loomis Williamsburg, MA
John McVey Williamsburg, MA
Reid McVey Williamsburg, MA
Aiden Sim Leyden, MA
Julien Toth-Cahn Cummington, MA
Ellis Wahlstrom Whitingham, VT
Santiago Zendejas-Solis Rowe, MA
and in a bit of a rush to just get through it. But, since that class, I’ve been carrying this phrase “gratitude is radical '' with me and it has been helping me remember to find moments of pause and notice myself in this transition as well as notice all of the forces that have brought
Class of 2028
recognized for their transition from middle to upper school:
Isabela Boehmer
Serias Handschuh
Roosi Isupov
Ezekiel Mirin
Thomas Perez
August Petrovato
Hadley Schiff
Madelyn Schott
me to this place. So, with that, and in classic Academy fashion, I’d like to share some appreciations…”
Santiago Zendejas-Solis: “This is the last time I’ll be addressing you as an Academy student, and more than furthering the point
List of Awards
Academic Awards
Grade 6: Charlie Korden
Grade 7: Seeley Palmer
Grade 8: Hadley Schiff
Grade 9: Katje Gibb-Buursma
Grade 10: Lucas Tikkala-Cutler
Grade 11: Raia LeBreux
Grade 12: Paloma Hsiao-Shelton
Fine Arts Awards
Fine Arts Award for Work in Performance
Ellis Wahlstrom
Fine Arts Award for Work in Visual Arts
Raia LeBreux
McKay Art Scholarship: Paloma Hsiao-Shelton.
about enjoying the time you have here, I’ll take this time to do the one thing I think is the most appropriate: to give thanks. At the end of the day, it's humble, simple, yet incredibly important. Because, let’s be honest: I wouldn’t be here without the help of a lot of people.”
Athletic Awards
Outstanding Lower School Athletes
Isabela Boehmer and Ezekiel Mirin
Outstanding Upper School Athletes
Paloma Hsiao-Shelton and Ole Brenizer
Coaches’ Award
John McVey
Community Awards
Ellen MacLeish Zale
Community Service Award: Lucas Watkin
Robert Jaros Citizenship Award: Ole Brenizer
Middle School Jane Grant Honor
Council Award
Seeley Palmer
Upper School Jane Grant
Honor Council Award: Parker Lane
Spirit of Zephyr Award: Paloma Hsiao-Shelton
Will Sparks Award: Jessica & Adam Gibb-Buursma P21, 23, 27
The Academy community is saddened by the loss of three long-time friends, David William McKay, Jane Hovde and F. Kent Reilly III
David William McKay, one of The Academy’s six founders, passed away peacefully at his home in Woodstock, VA on April 23, 2024.
While there are many historical contributions worthy of recognition (see the tributes below), more recently, David had the foresight to establish the McKay Art Fund: a visual arts scholarship of $5,000 granted to a graduating senior or recent graduate annually, in honor of his wife Patricia McKay (also an Academy founder and The Academy’s first art teacher). Additional investment income from this fund will go to support current art programming at The Academy. "We simply believe that exposure to the arts makes life better, and hope scholarship recipients help further that belief," said David.
In recent correspondence, David gifted me with the following accolade, which I now cherish dearly: "Thank you for...the information about what’s going on at our school. I say 'our' not because we are there on the ground, nor because we have any role in operations. Rather because you and your colleagues are just what we hoped would happen when I said to Pat and four friends 'Let’s start a school, then.' You are following our original goals, and developing new ones in keeping with that original idea of applying the principles of a classical education. Especially regarding the arts and humanities, without which no education is complete."
Alumnus Jeff Potter shares the following tribute to David:
“Unlike the five of the six founders of The Academy who had a personal day-to-day presence in the school in its earliest years, David W. McKay was very much a behind-the-scenes contributor to the life and culture of a plucky, visionary, tiny school.
Starting in 1981 with brochures and materials that were produced before the school had even found a building, David was responsible for creating the visual identity of The Academy. Once the old Charlemont High School became The Academy's home, his lovely line drawing of the dusty, drafty brick building soon became the logo that represents the school to this day. He was the first president of the board of The Academy and guided the school as a nonprofit corporate entity into its move to the current campus, a challenge that by every responsible organizational management metric should have been impossible.
The early years of The Grove were a McKay family production and introduced a number of impressionable students to graphic design. For months, often with both Pat and David guiding the process, we would spend Saturdays in the art room of that old building learning how to use T-squares and triangles, building pages,
sizing black-and-white photos, and trimming phototypes from long scrolls. It was my introduction to what has turned into a 40-plus-year career in publishing. These sessions would occasionally take us up the street to the McKay's home, where David had a little nook for paste-up that could make the process go a little more smoothly.
Wherever we were pasting up those early yearbooks, David, a government ambulance inspector by day, would wax nostalgic about his days in the printing industry. We'd talk fonts. (The yearbook was set in a variant
little bit of the subversive quality that comes when you're one step removed from a teacher-student dynamic.
David was a smart guy with an easy laugh and a lot of wry opinions and observations about a lot of topics. Over the years, when I was a newspaper editor, he gave me good information about ambulance regulations. When I was in college, I worked for a newspaper where I would find myself setting the type for The Grove. (When I got to help select font for that newspaper, I added Caslon, just for him.) He would come and pick up the type, and we would talk as adults and professionals.
of Palatino as the best of limited choices, but he preferred Caslon.) Fortunately for everyone else, the conversations were wide-ranging. He would talk with all of us as peers, with a
He was never at a loss for words, and always a gentleman. (Well ... almost always. One of us did screw something up on one Saturday in 1983, and a surge of pressroom profanity came to the surface volcanically. As teenagers, we thought that was pretty cool. As an adult, I can't blame him.)
He cared passionately about whatever he was doing and worked with intent, whether it was mentoring high schoolers in paste-up, inspecting ambulances, or serving on school boards in the service of quality education for the hilltowns. He and Pat gave to the school in fragile early years — all of the founders did, sometimes far more than anyone would imagine, sometimes at great personal sacrifice. I remain
grateful. All of us in the extended Academy community owe him a salute — and, as his family suggested in his obituary, a "really good dad joke."
To Pat, Jessamy, Gina, and Elyssa, I am so sorry for your loss. It's our loss, too.”
Former teacher and Head of School, Todd Sumner shares the following tribute to David:
“Among the artifacts and ephemera from my twenty-four years at The Academy is a handwritten note from David McKay, founder and board chair, welcoming me to the faculty in the summer of 1987. “…I can think of no better place to learn the craft of teaching…” he wrote, not realizing at the time (any more than I did) how much I’d learn from watching Pat in action—her well-designed projects, her patient encouragement of students, her stance, her warmth and humor. As Jeff Potter and others have written of David, his humor was truly memorable: I call him to mind to this day because he once described a now-forgotten inevitability as “lumbering toward us like a McKay punchline;” this simile still makes me laugh. I feel grateful, personally, for having overlapped with the McKays at The Academy and appreciate how much the school, as an institution, has benefitted from David’s and Pat’s vision and involvement.”
In closing, we send our condolences to all who knew and loved David, most especially his family, and our gratitude to all community members who endeavor to keep his legacy flourishing here at The Academy.
Jane Hovde, a former history, legal studies, and debate teacher at The Academy at Charlemont died October 2, 2023, at the age of 91. Jane began teaching at the Academy in 1988, when she moved to Plainfield, MA, after many years teaching at the secondary level in New York City. She enjoyed young people and was passionate about learning and creating equal opportunities for a high-quality education. Thus, the founding values and goals of The Academy held great appeal to her. Jane became a colleague and friend of founders Eric and Dianne Grinnell, traveling with them to Sicily among other adventures. She remained a long-term supporter of The Academy even after moving on to teach at UMass Amherst in the mid1990s, and retiring in 1997. She is survived by her three children: Kate, Sarah, and Peter Hovde.
Jane’s family encourages those wishing to make a donation in her memory to give to The Academy at Charlemont: https://www.charlemont.org/give/
F. Kent Reilly III taught at The Academy in the early years and was a very popular teacher much loved by students. He died on May 21st, 2024. He was a very important archeologist and Anthropology Faculty Member at Texas State University, in Austin. His primary focus was Mesoamerican Civilization, examining the art and symbols of the Olmec (1200-400 BC) and Classic Maya (AD200-900) cultures. Dr. Reilly was widely published, an advisor to The Art Institute of Chicago, and a consultant to the Muscogee Nation of Florida. Many will remember him with affection. Former student L. Renee Hendricks writes “Dr. Reilly was part of the catalyst that got me to where I am today. He was such a kind and thoughtful man, full of humor, and made learning enjoyable and fun.”
Emily Todd
Back in July 2022, after 23 years as a professor and dean at Westfield State University, I started a new position as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University, which is a Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). It was a big professional move, after so long at the same institution, but I am enjoying the challenge and feel really connected to Eastern's mission and grateful to work with such amazing faculty, staff, and students. My husband, Liam Harte, is still teaching Philosophy at Westfield, and our two boys are both pursuing their interests in music. Jamie (19) will be a sophomore at Bard College this fall, where he is majoring in music and playing in multiple ensembles and his own band, Sketch. Tommy (22) is a touring musician with the band Anxious (they have been on several nationwide and international tours!). He also is the singer/songwriter for a hardcore band called Broken Vow, and, when he is not touring, he's pursuing his BA in Geography.
Donald Braman
My family got to see Wes Rosner and his beautiful horses while visting my mom! So amazing. My fam (Priscilla, Liz, Kitty, Gabe, Liam and I)
visited New Zealand to visit my sister, Camille, (another AAC alumna) who lives there with her husband and 1 year old baby, then spent some lovely time in Taranaki. If you live near Toronto, Camille & Co are planning to spend the next year there while Camille plays with the TSO. Workwise, I'm helping a group of amazing folks launch prosecutions against fossil fuel companies for fraud, antitrust, and--as climate catastrophes ramp up--unintentional homicide, destruction of
property, risking catastrophe (which is a real crime in some states!), and reckless endangerment. I'm continuing my work on criminal justice reform with the Justice Innovation Lab, helping prosecutors focus on real public safety issues and avoid getting bogged down with prosecutions that harm or do not help the public. My mom is about to sell her house in Amherst if anyone is looking. I'm still in DC at GW and easy to find if folks are in town! We'll be in Western Mass for the third week of August and would love to see folks, so please drop me a line if you are around.
Jenny Friedl I’ll be honest, I don't have much news to share, and the older I get the more I appreciate "no news is good news". It really is. Life barrels forward with school and work and books and friends and wiping the crumbs off
the kitchen counter (like, constantly).
I'm still in Arlington VA, enjoying life with Lawrence and three teenagers. Lawrence works at NASA in the Earth Science Division, engaging with nonprofits and the public sector. Porter (16) is an avid rock climber and ultimate player. Lindy (14) is a fan of dragons, Renn Faires and her new suit of armor. Tyler (14) is really into music, digital art, and video games. I read a lot, walk a lot, love my aquatic aerobics class, and spend my days maintaining our busy household and all that entails. My side hustle is managing my cancer medications and all their various side effects - but I am rounding the bend toward the six-year mark, so that is something to cheer about. Recently, Dave (Jaros, '90) and mom (Rita) and I got together, it had been a while since the three of us were together, it was so much fun. Sending along a photo from that day. We're definitely older, hopefully a bit wiser, and we all still love The Academy.
Amy Mason
The past year has been both fun and busy. Recently I was featured on Western Mass News as part of their Surprise Squad for my work at Gate-
way Regional. My spouse, Josh, has been involved in work with local theater groups including K&E and The Majestic, and will start teaching high school Physics in the fall. Samantha (11) is about to start middle school. She’s playing baritone and in TaeKwon Do; Cassie (5) will start Kindergarten in the fall. She just had her first dance recital and finished a season of T-ball. I hope everyone has been well!
Bekah Paradise
I am an Accounting Manager, living in Groton, MA with my 8 year old son, Dominic. We keep busy with lots of art and sports and town activities. Once upon a time, my great-grandfather lived and worked in this town. Something about it just pulled me
here and I never want to leave!
My dad, former history teacher and soccer coach at the Academy Jon Lynes, is home after 9+ months in hospitals after complications from a brain tumor. He is still working toward more mobility but he has come through a terrifying ordeal and is happily back home with my mom and their dog.
Nora Bates Zale
Just sharing another photo of Tobey, Aethena and I with our kiddos (from left: Tobey holding Wayland, 6, me
holding Symone, 1.5, and Enzo, 4, and Aethena holding Asher, 3). We're determined to force them all into friendship--mostly, they're complying.
Jenn Wood
Hey all! It's been a pretty rough and stress filled year, but I was able to raft the Grand Canyon again. I won another permit and organized a 21 day rafting trip on the Colorado. It was my first time as a boat captain where I was rowing an 18 foot raft. I'm pretty proud of how I did even when I thought I'd messed up. That trip
was the highlight so far - still trying to finish the renovation on my four apartment building in North Adamsslow and steady. I'm also still working in the childcare at Mount Snow and acting as my mother's caretaker. It's been a year.
What years did you attend The Academy?
1994-1998
Did you have a favorite class, project, or particularly impactful teacher at The Academy?
I especially enjoyed the U.S. History and Literature course co-taught by multiple teachers and led by Mr. Todd Sumner and Mr. Doug Telling. One thing I appreciated about this course was the emphasis on primary documents and critical evaluation of historical texts. Through our studies, we discovered inconsistencies and misrepresentations of historical events and saw multiple examples of agenda-driven propaganda that had the power to influence large populations of people.
Were there extracurricular activities that you participated in at The Academy that were especially meaningful or fun? (sports, exchange programs, class trips, community service, etc)?
Some activities I participated in:
Soccer
Lacrosse
Model UN Theater productions
The music program
Leadership camping trips (Junior and Senior classes)
Internship Program
What did you do after you graduated from The Academy (college, travel, career changes, family, pets, etc)?
After Charlemont, I attended Mount Holyoke College majoring in Physics with a minor in Environmental Sciences. I was involved in a number of extracurricular activities including:
Varsity soccer
Rugby
Lacrosse
Class board (social chair)
Choir
Vocalist in the Jazz Ensemble
I later spent some time on the West Coast teaching physics and math at the high school level. My family and I returned to Western Mass in 2013 at which point I accepted a teaching position in the math department at the Williston Northampton school. After a few years in this role, I was asked to take on the additional role of
instructional technologist and later the director of academic technology. I completed an advanced degree in applied statistics in 2016 and began doing some statistical consulting which turned into a private practice called Green Line Analytics, LLC which I have continued to maintain. In my self-appointed role as an analyst, I collaborate with researchers on the quantitative elements of their work and complete occasional institutional research projects. Early on, I found a need to develop some skills in computer programming and over time, learned to work with the Python programming language to extract data from different sources, engineer useful data sets, and develop customized analytics solutions. After five years at Williston, I transitioned into higher education when I accepted a placement as a faculty member in the Operations and Information management in the Isenberg School at UMass. Given the need for business professionals to develop skills in data and analytics, there was a desire on the part of the academic leadership to offer more courses in this domain. I taught a well-established curriculum in business statistics while also developing new courses in Python programming and Data Science. In the last year, I was asked to take on the additional responsibility of serving as the faculty director of the Masters in Business Analytics program. In this role, I look at trends in business analytics and help incorporate the most relevant topics into the curriculum. I also liaise with industry partners in an effort to help students network and gain exposure to the demands of the modern business workplace.
in the last 5 years in Isenberg including:
Teaching with Digital Technology Award (2021, 2023)
Isenberg Teaching Fellowship (2021-2023)
Flex Learning Fellowship (20212022)
Teaching Excellence Award (2024)
How did your time at The Academy impact you for your current career, activities, friends, etc.?
Critical thinking is a term that has been thrown around a lot lately and it is more important than ever to vigilantly scrutinize information to ensure its validity and understand its meaning. I attribute, in large part, my instinct to be skeptical of information until I can verify the source to my time at The Academy. Whether in our writing or in class discussions, our instructors expected us to justify our claims with verifiable information. In math and science classes, we needed to question all assumptions and develop our findings through the application of logic.
lenging times and it can be overwhelming to think about. I guess the advice I have is to maintain a healthy skepticism about the information you encounter. Read the footnotes, find the raw data, check the citations, and note the absence of appropriate documentation! Watch out for headlines and slogans that are designed to scare you, pit you against others, and make you feel like you have no control. Find ways to take charge and focus on solutions. Look for people who are taking positive action and align yourself with them.
Instead of being hopeless about the state of the World, we can focus on solutions and actions, however small, that have a positive impact. Lately, I’ve been very interested in regenerative farming and the incredible potential for sequestering massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. I’m starting by building up the soil with composted food waste and planting a few vegetables. You’d think I would know how to farm having grown up with a big garden in Conway, but I never really took an interest in it. I’m finding it more compelling now having recognized how scientific it is and what a positive impact it can have! So my advice is to find something that you find both engaging and impactful whether in your professional or personal life.
What are some career or personal successes you’d like to share? It has been highly gratifying to have the opportunity to contribute to the business analytics curriculum. I feel that my professional endeavors are both challenging and impactful.
I have been honored to receive several awards and fellowships
An education rooted in the classics gave me a unique appreciation for the paradigms foundational to intellectual pursuits. Reading and discussing texts written by ancient philosophers showed me the importance of thoughtfully examining the human condition and that defining shared values is central to a productive society.
What advice would you give current Academy students or recent graduates?
It’s no secret that we live in chal-
Anything else you’d like to share? I live in Northampton with my husband and 14-year-old son, Sam. My stepson, Quinn, lives in Amherst. My mom lives two doors down from me – so close that our cats consider her house to be their second home. My sister, Emily, lives in Montana with her partner. Over the Holidays we all took a trip to Puerto Rico where we enjoyed the rainforest, snorkeling, ziplining, and a tour around Old San Juan.
A lot of people have fond memories of my dad, Leo Baldwin, who volunteered frequently at The Academy in the office, lacrosse coach, chaperone, and van driver. My dad passed away from early-onset dementia in the summer of 2019. We miss him terribly but remember his stories and his unique humor.
Maya Jalbert
Maya lives in Heath with her two kids, 10 chickens, 2 cats, and a bearded dragon named Meatball. She continues to work as a speech-language pathologist at a local elementary school, as well as at Baystate Franklin. Last year, Maya started a Rainbow Club at her elementary school to support LGBTQ+ students. She is proud to share that her eldest child, CJ is now an Academy student!
Aaron Silver-Pell
After a rough patch of homelessness in the last year, I've decided to take over all of reality, bend it to my will and remake it in my image.
Elise Neumann
Our family took a sabbatical this spring, spent a month in Ecuador, and road tripped to visit so many friends and family, which included a day with Elisa van de Kamp (03) in
Wisconsin! We hiked a small section of the Ice Age Trail together and had a wonderful time catching up and making new memories.
Jaslyn Cincotta
My son, Bruce, graduated high school, will attend Lewis and Clark this fall and plans to study Computer Science. My best friend, Fred the Disc Golf Dog, had his last day and is dearly missed.
Carly Carey
I am living in St. Paul, Minnesota with my one-year-old son, Jack, and my partner. I am enjoying staying home with Jack and watching him explore the world.
Ali Hamdan
What a strange few years it has been. After a few years of chaos moving back and forth between DC and LA, I moved in 2023 to Amsterdam to begin as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science in the University of Amsterdam. I am now learning Dutch and settling into a new life in the Netherlands.
Hannah Smith
My husband and I are happy first-time homeowners! We spend the majority of our free time in our numerous flower gardens, veggie patches, and tending to our ample fruit trees, berry bushes, and grape vines! In the Spring I visited my 2006 classmates Leah Decker and Dan Quigley in Boulder, Colorado, my old hometown.
Madeline Leue
Maddy Leue is going by Madeline these days. In addition to working in special education, she runs the Love in a Backpack Program, which provides supplies to people as they are released from women’s incarceration, writes
poetry, and cooks a lot of exceptional food. She lives in a wonderful spot in Ashfield with her artist partner, Dave, and exceptional 11-year-old, Calliope. Calliope is a 6th grader at The Academy.
Madeline Thompson
Makin' art, teachin' kiddos, and deepening my understanding of and resistance to the exploitative and racist
structure of our sociopolitical environment. Unlearning a lot in life and love, and spending a healthy amount of time standing sideways on boards.
Hannah Blacksin
Hi all! I’m currently writing this update in Carrapateira, Portugal, midway through a month-long bike
tour (we started in Morocco). It’s my 5th summer bike tour - I’ve also cycled in Italy, the Balkans, and lots in the States. During the year, I’m a high school English teacher in Seattle but mostly I’m out here having a boogie on my bike!
Mackenzie Brown
Hey everyone! I just moved back to The Valley from Washington after 4 years of being out there! I’ll be starting a new special education program at Deerfield Elementary School! 2013
Zoe Neeley
I just finished my 3rd year teaching elementary school science in the Gill Montague School District. The highlight of the school year was getting to experience a partial solar eclipse with the kids. I also adopted a cat! Her name is Mae after the astronaut Mae Jemison.
Ben Miller
Salvete Aardvarks! I (Ben) continue to live in NYC (look me up if you're in town!), continue to work as an audio engineer (recording music) at a studio called Power Station, continue to en-
joy cooking, soccer, music, wordplay, hosting a radio show and exploring this crazy city. Since my last Vox update, I have been on a jaw surgery saga (one down, one more to go!) in order to fix the weirdly shaped skull I grew after high school. (To Current Students: Yes, these jaw problems were a direct result of my senior year latin grade. Keep studying your vocab!!)
Notable professional projects this past year include ok tyler: God of the Gaps; Darcy James Argue: Dynamic Maximum Tension; and the Parade 2023 Broadway Cast Recording. Have a listen (if you want!)
Carly Hall
Since graduating from UMass in 2020 with my B.A. in Classical Languages and Masters in Education, I have been teaching 6th grade world history in Baltimore, MD. Along with teaching, I coach cross country and track and field.
Connor O’Brien
Hi Aardvarks! I graduated from UMass in 2021 and split my time working as a research assistant in a lab at UMass, as well as working on staff
at a therapeutic afterschool program. In January 2023, I took an exciting opportunity to pursue psychology
research full-time—and so I've spent the past year and a half working at the University of Notre Dame, managing a couple of research projects and pursuing some of my own research as well. This summer, I’m back in the Valley and enjoying some quality time off with family and friends (including a couple of Academy alumni) while gearing up for grad school. In the Fall, I’ll be heading off to Madison, Wisconsin to start a PhD program in Clinical Psychology at UWisconsin.
Ella Deters
Concluding my work as a Clinical Research Nursing Coordinator in breast oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I will be headed to Yale School of Nursing to pursue my Master of Science in Nursing through the direct-entry (GEPN) MSN program. I will specialize in Pediatric Primary Care and look forward to bringing my love of healthcare and children to life as I begin my Nurse practitioner training!
Ari Adair
I started off my college freshman year as a Musical Theatre and Theatre Technology and Design dual-major with a minor in Dance. I've been working incredibly hard to establish myself at UNH, and have already made a name for myself through various cabaret performances, making friends, establishing a band, working
various jobs across campus, performing in a senior's capstone project, and being chosen for two of the major theatre productions my freshman year! This summer, I will be acting as choreographer for a local youth theatre company, and will be directing and acting in my own production of Xanadu! The Deerfield Valley players will be performing Xanadu from August 14-17, it's a can't-miss event!
I was so pleased to connect with Wilder about all that he has been up to since graduating from The Academy. I still treasure a parting gift he left me upon that occasion–I had the windowless ground floor, off-the-hallway office at the time, and he modified an old window from his barn and brought it in for me, having painted the words “This Office Is For Real Talks - Forever Your BFF - Sheriff McCoy” on the panes. During his couple of years as an Aardvark, as a junior and senior, Wilder did see himself as somewhat of a Sheriff, maintaining order (well, nicknames, at least) and good humor among the student body. Thankfully, we do stay in good contact, and Coach BZ, our children and I are often gifted with ad hoc visits when he is back in our shared zip code, announced with the approaching hum of his motorcycle turning on to our driveway.
What did you do after you graduated from The Academy?
After The Academy I took a gap year, worked at Zoar, realized I like working with water resources, went to college in Tennessee, and did an MSc in Netherlands in Water Management and Governance.
The greater Academy community was lucky to have him on campus this past winter–visiting the Climate Connections class to discuss his professional work, and helping to coach the basketball squad as well.
He shared the following responses to our typical alumni queries:
What years did you attend The Academy? Did you have a favorite class, project, or particularly impactful teacher at The Academy?
I attended from 2013-15 and a favorite moment at The Academy was doing the senior project; I created an Outings Club and got to dip my toes in environmental science and freely creating a structured program.
Were there extracurricular activities that you participated in at The Academy that were especially meaningful or fun?
I always liked the community service trips and the interaction with some of the elder and therefore wiser people in places like Shelburne Falls, but I particularly liked the sports experience where you never get subbed out because the teams are small. Coming back to coach baseball was fun too.
What are some career or personal successes you’d like to share?
I’m currently working for a Dutch fund manager doing water infrastructure investments in emerging markets, based in Cape Town, South Africa. On the side, I have a start-up called Flowmetric doing corporate water risk management for water sensitive companies in Vietnam.
How did your time at The Academy impact you in terms of your current career, activities, friends, etc.?
I think my time at The Academy and the diversity of opinions, exposure to nuanced topics, and critical thinking skills imbued in the education there played a large role in opening doors down the road.
What advice would you give current Academy students or recent graduates?
My advice would be to be thankful for such an immersive educational experience at The Academy, and as you go out into the world don’t be afraid to take risks on the things that you find meaningful or happen to be passionate about; for me it was working abroad in the water sector, it can be anything, as long as you like it.
The Academy at Charlemont gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their voluntary contributions to our Annual Fund during the 2023-2024 fiscal year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). 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).
Heads’ Circle
($5,000 and above)
Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01
Jennifer and Brian Hoffman P27
Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19, 22
Johnson Scholarship Foundation
Judy Grunberg* GP20, 27
Marc Fromm and Beth Sperry P11, 14, 19
Ranganath Nayak GP25, 29
Susan and Michael Slowinski P98, 00, 01
Susan Leeds
Founder’s Society
($2,500 - $4,999)
Carole & James McAuliffe GP27
David Epstein
Deborah Shriver P03
Katherine Hovde
Megan Kendrick ’99 and Brian Murphy
Noah Grunberg and Janet Mullen P20, 27
Charlemont Society
($1,000 - $2,499)
Amy and David Berner P24
Andy and Nancy Smith P06
Charlotte Meryman and Benjamin Thompson P09, 12
Clare and Richard Watkin P27, 25
Col. USA (Ret.) Mac Snodgrass
Dane Boryta ’84
David and Maureen Ginsburg GP29
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Hoffman GP27
Emily Gilbert and Jeremy Borer P30
Jennifer and Alfred Mitchell
Joan and Edgardo Bianchi P09
Jody Cutler & Liisa Tikkala P26
John Harder GP26, 29
John Shriver ’03
Judith Haupt P27
Nancy Malina
Naomi and Nicholas Soviecke P30
Rural Schools Collaborative Inc.
Zachary Kolodin ’03 and Hilary Doe
Patrons
($500- $999)
Catherine Peltz GP24, 30
Christine Lioce P15
Dasha Tobits
David Howe P21
Dawn Grignaffini P27
Dr. Brian D. Bloomfield and Carla Bloomfield
Elizabeth Klarich and Matthew Wilhelm P29
Elizabeth Slowinski ’98
Ellen Harder GP26, 29
Gina O'Brien P17
Hannah Smith ’06 and Jesse Day
Jessica and Adam Gibb-Buursma P21, 23, 27
Johanna Bates and Colin Mitchell P25
Kerlin Conyngham
Mary Anne Schiff GP23
Michael Lioce GP15
Nathaniel Cohen and Jody DeMatteo P13
Patricia Parker and William Comeaux P18
Peggy Hsiao GP24
Peter Engelman and Kendall Clark P13, 15
Petra Jaros ’04 and Anna Leue ’02
Phoebe Shaw and David Chase P20, 22
Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Jones III P87
Ryan Schiff and Rebecca Houlihan P23
Sabine and Michael Mauri P21
Sandy Warren
Sara Wein and Neal Anderson P16
Sarah and Mark McKusick P07, 10
Shelley Borror Jackson
Stephanie and David Purington P11, 14
Theresa Ruggiero P19
Todd Sumner and Mark Melchior P04
Yanir Stein P27
Zoë Plakias ’04
Scholars ($100 - $499)
Aethena Enzer-Mahler ’00
Aida Perez P28
Alejandro Zendejas and Fabiola Solís P24, 29
Alexander and Aimie Zale
Alla Katsnelson and Geoff McKonly P29
Amy and Ben Murray P26
Amy H. Waterman Mason ’98 and Josh Mason
Ana Toth and Dave Cahn P24, 27
Anand Nayak and Polly Fiveash P25
Andrea and John Keins P15, 21
Anonymous (3)
Audrey Collins-Watson ’93
Aysha Peltz and Todd Wahlstrom P24, 30
Bartlett Doty ’00
Beverley and Robert Yoon P08
Bi-sek Hsiao and Donald Shelton P24
Brendan Levine ’01
Carla LaGrassa
Carolyn Asbury and Peter Ranney P06
Cassie Nylen Gray ’93
Charles Savage
Charlotte Rea and Robert Fricker
Christina and Neale Gay P29
Cindy Palmer GP27
Cindy Snow
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation
Colin Grinnell ’12
Colleen Sculley P26
Connie Burak GP25
Connor O'Brien ’17
Cris Gibb GP21, 23, 27
Cynthia and Shawn Allen P13
David Adie P08, 12
David Jaros ’90
David Raker and Lisa Ballesteros P25
Diane and Ken Bigelow P14, 16, 21
Edward and Gwynne Fitzgerald P30
Elizabeth Purington ’14
Ellen Zale P00, 06
Emily Clark-Polatin GP26
Emily Todd ’85 and Liam Harte
Emmanuel Vazquez GP24, 29
Frederick Moss
Gerald Palmer and Beth Honeyman P29
Heidi and Glenn Arnold P13
Jacqueline McLaughlin and John Bride GP17, 19
James Boehmer and Cynthia Fand P28
Jane and Michael Plager P16
Jane and Stephen Grant P92, 94, 96
Jayne and Bob Dane
Jeff Novick
Jen Marshall and Doug McVey P24
Jennifer Wood ’09
Jill and Robert Cahn GP24
Joan Honeyman GP29
Jody Stewart
John and Angela Schatz ’01
John and Pauline MacLean P29
John Baldwin
John Petrovato and Rebecca Malakoff P28
Jonathan Friedman and Teresa Buswell P23
Joseph Schatz
Joshua Shurtleff ’93 and Jennifer McLemore
Julian Post ’07
Kate and F. Reed Brown P29, 30
Katherine Anderson ’16
Katherine Fiveash
Kathleen Alford ’07
Keith Clark P21
Kelly Flaherty P25
Ken and Laura Huff GP18, 19
Kimberly Karlin
Kipp ’90 and Esterlina Sutton
Leah and Alex Hirshberg P29
Leah Decker ’06
Leanne and Ed Dowd P13
Linda Driscoll and Nelson Shifflett P88
M. Jennifer Bloxam P10
Mac McCoy and Polly Byers P15
Margaret Seiler and Leonard Melnick P10
Martha and Ted Tirk P07
Martha Fuller
Mary Irwin and Jack Harrison P11
Mary Quigley and Mollie Babize P06
Mary Schatz
Masako Yanagita
Matthew Plager ’16
Michael and Joanna Evans
Mike Grinley and Dana Stiepock P23
Mo Turner and Sean Glennon P22
Molly Duncan
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell III GP13, 15
Mr. Jon Severance and Mrs. Jane Severance GP29
Mr. Paul Breault
Patricia Rapinchuk GP10
Paul and Amy Catanzaro P21, 23
Paul Gay and Sue Macmillan GP29
Peter and Melanie Zschau P98
Peter Stevens and Linn Bower
Phoebe Walker and Dennis West P17
Rachel Merrell
Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg ’08
Rhoda McManus
Richard and Mary Boehmer GP28
Robert Balkind
Roberta Conley and Robert Alling GP26
Ryan Pirtle-McVeigh ’03
Sally Loomis and Paul Jahnige P16, 24
Sam and Marie Bartlett P07, 10
Sarah Pirtle P03
Select Equity Foundation Inc.
Sheila Crofts P24
Shelley Barnett ’90
Simon MacLean ’92 and Jessica Striebel MacLean
Simon Reid ’01
Stephen Ross
Steve O'Neil
Stuart Mieher P13, 15
Susan and Charles Titus
Susan Kooperstein GP28
Synphany and Nora Bates Zale ’00
Thomas and Nancy Leue P96, 02
Thomas McCrumm
Todd Whitney ’03
Tony & Gisela Walker GP17
Tracie and Koren Butler-Kurth P24
Tupshin Harper ’90
Valarie and Joseph Scappace P29
Vicki Sutton P90
Virginia Gabert ’84
William Melnick ’10
Willmore Paulding
Zoe Neeley ’13
Friends (up to $99)
Adella Catanzaro ’23
Aidan Crofts ’24
Aiden Sim ’24
Alan and Elizabeth Fraker P04
Amanda Pollock P25
Andrea Donlon P27
Anonymous (4)
Ari Adair ’23
Astranada Gamsey P27
Carey Baldwin ’98
Chanina Kosovske ’23
Daniel Tetreault ’23
Deborah Lockhart Phillips P07, 09
Dennis Palmer P27
Duncan Laird
Elizabeth Falco
Elizabeth Grybko P03, P06
Ella Deters ’18
Ellen Doris and Bob Strachota P20
Ellis Wahlstrom ’24
Emily Alling and Joel Paxton P26
Eric Smith
Ethan Olmstead ’98
Eve Bogdanove P29
Foster Ranney ’06
Gus Grinley ’23
Hannah Blacksin ’09
Hannah Lessels ’14
Hazel Berner ’24
Herbert and Christine Forgey P01
Ilene and Terry Rosenfeld GP20
Jack Palmer ’27
Jaimee and Timothy Constantine P30
Jake Marmer and Shoshana Olidort P29
Jane and Jim Wagener GP26, 29
Jasper Butler-Kurth ’24
Jeannie Bartlett ’10
Jennifer Schott P25, 28
Jeremy Finer ’93
Jerry Levine and Julie McCarthy P01
John McVey ’24
Jonathan Bogdanove
Jonathan Healy
Jules Purnell
Julien Toth-Cahn ’24
Kara Fagan
Karen and Mitchel Soviecke P30
Karen Chase Graubard GP 20, 22
Karen O'Connell and Thomas Por GP23, 25
Karina Feitner ’14
Katharine Overgaard ’06
Larry and Susan Flaccus
Lauren Schmidt
Ms. Lisa Newman and Mr. Dang Huynh
Madeline and Will Miller
Madeline Thompson ’09
Marco Almeida
Mary Kay Costello
Max Kitchell ’12
Maya Nayak and
George Langford P29
Meredith and Benjamin Lewis P29
Merry Scappace GP29
Network for Good
Nick and Leslie Plakias P04
Nick Harder and Amber Smith-Harder P26, 29
Nicolas and Margaret Miller P26
Paloma Hsiao-Shelton ’24
Patricia Parker P18
Peter Atkinson
Peter Gowdy ’85
Priscilla White P86
Rabbi Raquel Kosovske and Rabbi David Seidenberg P23
Reid McVey ’24
Rick Taupier and Beth Haggerty P03, 05
Ruth Copeland
Santiago Zendejas-Solis ’24
Sarah Noble-Dziura ’10
Sawyer Thompson ’12
Shane Brenizer and Cynthia McLaughlin P17, 19
Skye Loomis ’24
Stephanie Moss
Stephen Earp
Susan Samoriski
Sydney Ramey
Tamra and William Hersh P15
Theresa and Jess Maenzo-Tanner P30
Tobey Ward ’00
W. Wilder McCoy ’15
Will Purington ’11
William Zale ’06
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.
LEGACY GIVING • 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.
Matching Gifts, Foundations, and Grants
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation
Johnson Scholarship Foundation
Network for Good
Rural Schools Collaborative
Select Equity Group Foundation
T. Backer Fund
Tribute and Memorial Gifts
Gifts in Honor:
Charlie ’29 and Ainsley Murray ’26
Jane and Jim Wagener GP26, 29
Class of 2006
Hannah Smith ’06
Class of 2024
Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01
Devon “skinny legs” Evans
David Jaros ’90
Dianne Grinnell
Charles Savage Eve and Ruby Bogdanove ’29
Jonathan Bogdanove
Hannah Smith ’06
Nancy and Andy Smith
Isaiah Day ’10
M. Jennifer Bloxam P10
Ivan ’26 and
Jude Harder ’29
Ellen Harder GP26, 29
WAYS TO GIVE
The Academy accepts gifts by check, money order, or credit card and gifts of appreciated securities.
ONLINE GIFTS • 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.
MATCHING GIFTS • 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.
PLEDGES • Donors may make pledges to the Annual Fund. Pledges must be paid by June 30th, the end of the fiscal year.
GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES
• 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.
GIFTS BY MAIL • 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
Jennifer Tilley ’87
Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Jones III
Julien ’24 & Luka ’27 Toth Cahn
Robert & Jill Cahn
Mary Leue
Thomas and Nancy Leue P96, 02
Nora Bates Zale ’00
Martha MacLeish Fuller and Herbert H. Fuller
Nora Bates Zale ’00
Matt Plager
Ole Brenizer ’25
Jacquelyn McLaughlin and John Bride
Rory Sweeting ’20
Ilene and Terry Rosenfeld GP20
Sarah Peck Morrison ’03
Mr. and Mrs. Grybko
Steve Morganelli, Kent Reilly, and Cedric
David Jaros ’90
Sylvie Mauri ’21
Sabine Mauri P21
The Senior Class of 2024
The Senior Class Parents Wilder McCoy ’15
The McCoy & Byers Family Wilder McCoy ’15
Anonymous
Gifts in Memory:
David McKay
Douglas C Telling
David McKay
Nora Bates Zale ’00
David McKay
Todd Sumner P04
Eric Grinnell
Charles Savage
Eric Grinnell
Masako Yanagita Bogin
Elaine Gay
Frederick Moss
Elaine Gay
Stephanie Moss & Thomas Sands
Enedina Snodgrass
Col. USA (Ret.) Mac Snodgrass
Jane Hovde
Kathleen Hovde
Liz Hobbs
Laurence & Susan Flaccus
Zephyr Rapinchuk
Margaret Seiler and Leonard Melnick P10
Gifts In Kind
Academy Parents Council
Jessica and Adam Gibb-Buursma P21, 23, 27
Adam Williams P27, 30
Amy and David Berner P24
Anonymous (x2)
Bob and Jayne Dane
Cassandra Haffner
Christopher Lenaerts
Christopher Polatin P26
Community Service Council
Dana Stiepock P23
Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman GP27
Ellen Harder GP29, 26
Fallon Paxton ’26
Hannah Smith ’06 and Jesse Day
Janet Mullen and Noah Grunberg P20, 27
Jess Maenzo-Tanner P30
Johannah Bates and Colin Mitchell P25
Lane Family
Leah and Alex Hirshberg P29
Lisse Grullemans ’98
Matt Wilhelm P30
Mike Grinley P23
Mr. Jon Severance and Mrs. Jane Severance GP29
Paul Jahnige P16, 24
Purington Family
Red Gate Farm P26, 29
Solomon McKonly ’29
The many volunteers on LumberVarks Day
Cornucopia Auction Underwriters 2023
Berkshire Fairfield / ST Insurance
Florence Savings Bank
Greenfield Savings Bank
Marcus Printing People’s Pint
Shelburne Falls Cork
West County Cider
Cornucopia Auction Donors
Aethena Enzer-Mahler and Nate
Frigard
Aldo and Rianna Pizzi - Red Rose
Motel
Amy Berner
Amy Brady
Andrea Chesnes
Arlene Grossman
Aysha Peltz Wahlstrom
Bartlett Doty
Berkshire East Mountain Resort
Brick and Feather Brewery
Bruce Lessels
Christy Knox / Natural Elements
Pottery
Ciara Hayden
Cyndy Sperry
Dave Cahn
Dawn Grignaffini
Elaine Parmett
Elizabeth Klarich
Ethan Brossard
Geoff McKonly
Gregory Cangialosi
Jessica and Adam Gibb-Buursma
Jessica Salloom
Joanna Dunn
Jody Cutler and Lissa Tikkala
John Petrovato
Julia Lemieux
Karen Soviecke
Katherine Fiveash
Katie Bergstrand
Katie Yale
Ken Kipen
Kevin French
Kimberly Karlin
Kurt Meyer
Laura Briggs / Calico
Linn Bower
Lisa Ekus
Mary Boehmer
MASS MoCA
Maya Nayak
Mitchell Soviecke
New England Cheesemaking Supply
Co.
Paul Hadley
Peterman's Boards & Bowls
Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg
Reed Brown
Robert Dane Glass
Roosi Isupov
Sandy Mazzella
Sean Burns
Sergei Isupov and Kadri Parnamets
Sheila Crofts
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
Shelley Jackson
Snow Farm
Stetson Wood Collection
Steve Earp
Storm Cindir
The Academy at Charlemont
The Academy of Music
The Prindle School
Tracie Butler-Kurth
Will Miller
Zoar Outdoor
As of June 30, 2023 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 (3)
Loren Cole and Jason Cooper P08
Carlotta Crissey Chandler
Jayne and Robert Dane
Judy Grunberg* GP20, 27
Don and Margaret Freeman
Eric* and Dianne Grinnell
Ernest Hofer*
Mr. William Hoth*
John Brace Latham*
Elisabeth Leete*
Bruce Lessels and Karen Bloom P14
Mrs. Rolf Merton*
Maud O. Merton*
Cornelia and Wallis Reid P01
Jennifer Rosner and Bill Corwin P19, 22
Todd Sumner P04
Judith Haupt P97
Mary Jennifer Bloxam P10
Dr. Audrey Collins-Watson ’93
*deceased
These listings are based on gifts recorded as of June 30, 2024. We regret any errors or omissions and welcome notification thereof.
HAS THE ACADEMY IMPACTED YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE? CONSIDER MAKING YOUR IMPACT ON THE ACADEMY THROUGH PLANNED GIVING.
A BEQUEST COSTS YOU NOTHING NOW, AND MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY LATER.
Planned giving helps us maintain financial stability. As an independent non-profit, our ability to inspire, educate, and develop young citizens and scholars relies heavily on donations from our caring community members Please consider adding The Academy at Charlemont to your will so we can continue to fulfill our mission to nurture creativity, independent thinking, and empathy for generations to come.
Once you decide you want to leave a legacy gift to The Academy at Charlemont, you'll need to include the donation in your will. Here are some of the next steps you can take and discuss with your legal counsel:
“To be a part of helping a new generation thrive in their academics, music, arts, sports, social and community development means so much to us All of this, and SO much more, is why Bob and I have been strong supporters of The Academy and why we have chosen to be Charlemont Legacy Donors ” - Jayne Dane, Former Academy Music Teacher
Decide what you want to leave to The Academy
Name The Academy as the primary beneficiary for a specific gift, such as an amount of money or stock, or allocate a percentage of your total estate to The Academy at Charlemont Many people choose to leave 10% of their estate to a cause that’s close to their heart.
Name The Academy at Charlemont as a beneficiary in your will
Full name: The Academy at Charlemont Street address: 1359 Route 2, The Mohawk Trail, Charlemont, MA 01339
Employer Identification Number (EIN): 04-2724993
Tell The Academy at Charlemont about your planned gift so we can thank you and honor you in our yearly newsletter Vox! Email: development@charlemont org or academy@charlemont org
