Vox 2024

Vox

The Academy at Charlemont: Find your voice. Speak your mind.

A Strong, Strategic Start to our 5th Decade page 2

Dungeons & Dragons & Aardvarks -Oh My! page 3

A newspaper for the community of The Academy at Charlemont

autumn 2024

Total Eclipse of the Aardvark

Remembrances of Foundational Academy Faculty page 14

Alumni at Work: Water Infrastructure and Data Analytics page 17

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VOX • 2023-2024

Strategically Becoming a Better Academy

By Joh n S c hatz , C o- He ad of S cho ol f or Aca dem ics

A

s 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.

Solar panels on the roof of Hobbs Hall During the spring of the 2022-23 school year, a planning Academy to bring more families with advisors. These efforts also committee composed of students, to our doorstep, as we have beincluded implementing a well-reparents, alumni, faculty, Board come more present at local events garded program called The Social members, and administration that align with our values.

Institute in 2023-24 to support gathered feedback from our We’ve also focused significant students in navigating the online community about The Academy’s energy on supporting our faculty world. strengths and areas for growth. through professional developOur facilities have seen some From digging through survey ment opportunities and a thorof the most significant changes in data, to a classroom discussion ough compensation analysis. The years, as we have looked to reduce that was packed with parents, to creation of a personnel committee our ecological footprint and all-student meetings facilitated has also improved communireimagine some classroom spaces by students themselves, we were cation and kept the health and now that we again are consistently able to identify our path forward well-being of our faculty and staff enrolling a 6th grade and in hopes in a Strategic Plan that at the front of the Co-Heads’ of enrollment growth. Our new will take us through minds.

20 kW solar array, a shift to LED the 2025-26 school Academically, we’re lighting, and the installation of year in five focus looking to better mini-splits have helped us reduce areas: Enrolldocument our vertical our dependency on nonrenewable ment, Faculty, (year-after-year) align- sources of electricity. The work of Academic ment, improve our our new Facilities Manager Eric Program, Social science facilities, and Smith has been applauded across & Co-Curricular strengthen our middle our community as dependable, Program, Facilities, school program. We have timely, and the most important John Schatz seen a wonderful resurgence and Development. reason why The Academy campus With enrollment now apof students sharing their work seems to be running on all cylinproaching 90, we are still striving with authentic audiences, even ders. In Grinnell, reconfiguring for our goal of again enrolling more thoughtfully constructed the locker room Atalanta to a 100 or more students. Due to than some of the “Exhibitions” computer lab also allowed us to the work of Admissions Direcfrom pre-pandemic days. create a more suitable classroom tor Katherine Anderson ’16 and With adolescent mental health in Einstein. our faculty, it is clear that once being such an important area in Finally, we continue to enprospective families get in the today’s climate, we are striving hance relationship-building with door for any type of visit, they are to offer more social-emotional all constituencies and benefitted excited to apply. As always, we’re support for our students, both from the feedback generated from continuing to explore new ways through our psychological condevelopment professional Bill to get the word out about The sultant and through more training 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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

Makin’ Music at The Academy

By Z orah Miller ’25

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tudio 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

Aardvarks rocking out on stage at a recent Academy concert.

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-

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VOX • 2023-2024

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-

Erin McKeown working with Women Who Rock, Jr. students 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

Scott Hoffman and Nick Clark '21: The Masterminds of Academy Music Programming

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.

O Vox

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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

Rossum's Universal Robots

By Jasper Bu tler-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.

R

ossum'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

Academy actors portraying scientists, an activist, and robots in the 2024 performances of R.U.R.

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VOX • 2023-2024 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.

VOX • 2023-2024

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VOX • 2023-2024

Class of 2024 Hazel Berner 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-

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.

Jasper Butler-Kurth 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-

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.

Aidan Crofts 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

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 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

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.

Skye Loomis 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

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 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

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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

Class of 2024 Reid McVey 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 Sim 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.

Julien Toth-Cahn 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.

Ellis Wahlstrom 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-

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.

Santiago Zendejas-Solis 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

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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

Imaginations at Work: Dungeons and Dragons

By L ev M armer ’29

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ne 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.

The school’s Dungeons and Dragons studio block, led by music It is not uncommon for the love of D&D teacher Liam Birkerts, to be reflected in Aardvark attire! takes up blocks B and C hero in a fantasy world, such as on Tuesdays. At the beginning an orc fighter or an elven wizard. of the semester, we split up into Then, another player known as small groups, each with its own the Dungeon Master, or DM, DM. We continue to play in those describes the world and characgroups for the entire semester, ters around the heroes and the forming strong friendships and perils that they must face togethgenerally having fun. The studio er. Situations involving luck and block started 3 years ago when chance are settled with a roll of a Liam came to the Academy. He 20-sided die, and various other has been playing D&D for 15 dice are used to determine things years, and when I asked him what like the damage that an attack will his favorite part of the Studio deal. For example, if a hero was Block is, he told me, “I really like trying to trick a palace guard, the the enthusiasm that everyone DM might ask them to roll the die brings to it… And because we

Instructor and students alike, deep in the midst of gameplay and illustration. 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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

Memorable Snapshots and Excerpts from Commencement 2024 All photo graphy by K atherine Anderson ’16

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he 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

Congratulations to the Class of 2024

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

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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,

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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

Ellis Wahlstrom

Erin MacLachlan and Rafael Kelman addressing the Class of 2029

Paloma Hsiao-Shelton and her mom, Bi-sek Hsiao

Jasper Butler-Kurth

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Santiago Zendejas-Solis

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

Class of 2028

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

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

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.”

Class of 2028

List of Awards

recognized for their transition from middle to upper school:

Academic Awards

Outstanding Lower School Athletes

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

Isabela Boehmer and Ezekiel Mirin

Isabela Boehmer Serias Handschuh Roosi Isupov Ezekiel Mirin Thomas Perez August Petrovato Hadley Schiff Madelyn Schott

Athletic Awards

Outstanding Upper School Athletes

Paloma Hsiao-Shelton and Ole Brenizer Coaches’ Award

John McVey Community Awards

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.

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

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VOX • 2023-2024

In Memoriam 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 sizing black-and-white photos, following tribute to David: and trimming phototypes from long scrolls. It was my introduc“Unlike the five of the six tion to what has turned into a founders of The Academy who 40-plus-year career in publishhad a personal day-to-day pres- ing. These sessions would occaence in the school in its earliest sionally take us up the street to years, David W. McKay was very the McKay's home, where David much a behind-the-scenes con- had a little nook for paste-up that tributor to the life and culture of could make the process go a little a plucky, visionary, tiny school. more smoothly.

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,

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.

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.)

David William McKay, an Academy founder 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 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

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VOX • 2023-2024

F. Kent Reilly III taught at The

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 teacher

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.”

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

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1985 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.

ALU M N OT E S 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.

Donald with Family 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

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-

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

Jenny with Family 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.

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.

2000 Nora Bates Zale Just sharing another photo of Tobey, Aethena and I with our kiddos (from left: Tobey holding Wayland, 6, me

1988

1986 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)

1998

Amy with Family 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!

1999 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

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.

2001 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

Jenn navigating the Colorado

Bekah with fan

was the highlight so far - still trying to finish the renovation on my four apartment building in North Adams slow 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.

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VOX • 2023-2024 A L U M N I S P OT L I G H T: C A R E Y I S E N B E R G ' 9 8 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.

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

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)

Carey Baldwin 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.

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-

Class of 2023

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.

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.

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ALU M N OT E S 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!

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.

Jaslyn with son Bruce

2005

Maya with kids 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.

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.

2003 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

Elisa, Elise and family hiking together Wisconsin! We hiked a small section of the Ice Age Trail together and had a wonderful time catching up and making new memories.

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

2006

2009

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.

Madeline Thompson Makin' art, teachin' kiddos, and deepening my understanding of and resistance to the exploitative and racist

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!

Mackenzie outside

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.

Madeline on board

Hannah Smith

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!

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.

2004 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.

Hannah on break

2011 Madeline and crew

Carly with Jack

Hannah Blacksin Hi all! I’m currently writing this update in Carrapateira, Portugal, midway through a month-long bike

structure of our sociopolitical environment. Unlearning a lot in life and love, and spending a healthy amount of time standing sideways on boards.

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-

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VOX • 2023-2024

A L U M N I S P OT L I G H T : W I L D E R M C C OY ' 1 5 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!!)

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.

2018 Ben attempting to cook 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!)

2015 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.

2017

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!

2023 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

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

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.

Ari with troupe

Connor with fellow alum Eva Gray '16

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.

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!

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.

Wilder McCoy 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.

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.

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VOX • 2023-2024

2023 – 2024 GIVING 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

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2023 – 2024 GIVING 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

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

G I V I N G TO T H E AC A D E M Y T Y PES OF GI V ING 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.

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.

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

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.

WAY S T O G I V E The Academy accepts gifts by check, money order, or credit card and gifts of appreciated securities.

and please provide our Development Office with necessary forms in order to maximize your support for The Academy.

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.

PLEDGES • Donors may make pledges to the Annual Fund. Pledges must be paid

by June 30th, the end of the fiscal year.

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,

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

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2023 – 2024 GIVING 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

The Charlemont Legacy Society 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.

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2023 – 2024 GIVING

The Charlemont Legacy Society 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.”

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 - Jayne Dane, Former Academy Music Teacher

so we can thank you and honor you in our yearly newsletter Vox! Email: development@charlemont.org or academy@charlemont.org

VOX • 2022-2023 The Academy at Charlemont 1359 Route 2 • Charlemont, MA 01339

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 301 GREENFIELD, MA 01301

THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER

Joe Mason ’27

Lucy Maenzo-Tanner ’30

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