BULLETIN | SPRING 2015 3
Nadal Award Recipient James P. Davidson This spring the Founders League recognized James P. Davidson with the Nadal Award. The award, created in 1969, is presented annually to a coach who has “demonstrated sportsmanship as defined in the statement; ‘Play by the rules, accept victory or defeat graciously, respect all who assemble and participate.’” In his 39-year career Jim Davidson has coached more than 100 seasons at Choate Rosemary Hall including cross-country, track, and basketball. Jim was hired full-time in the fall of 1976 as a history and philosophy teacher; he has also taught religion and social sciences. Jim, or “J.D.,” as he is universally known, became the founding father of girls cross country. In 1990, the Connecticut Board of Certified
Basketball Officials named him Referees Coach of the Year for all-around sportsmanship and knowledge of the game. Last May, Coach Davidson was inducted in the Choate Rosemary Hall’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
CHOATE TRAVELS TO CIF CONFERENCE IN JAPAN From April 2 to 4, Lucia Madero-Murillo ’15, Christopher Moeckel ’16, and History, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Science teacher Jim Davidson traveled to Japan to participate in the annual Critical Issues Forum (CIF), co-sponsored by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS). Students from seven U.S. high schools, two Russian high schools, and five Japanese schools presented their findings on this year’s topic, “Nuclear Disarmament: Humanitarian Approach.” The Choate pair was selected – based on their submitted work – to pair with a team from the host school in Hiroshima, Jogakuin Senior High School, to deliver a joint presentation on the importance of youth education toward achieving the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. Their presentation at a public symposium, which included Hiroshima survivors, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings. Chris and Lucia’s presentation summarized the history of treaties and the current effectiveness of the NPT (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty) and START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). Their conclusion focused on a new treaty that would lead to the elimination of nuclear weapons. The Choate students were introduced by Choate alumnus, Jeff Adler ’95, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Assistant Attaché.
Journalist Bob Woodward Speaks at Special Program Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist/Author and Associate Editor of The Washington Post, Bob Woodward was interviewed by sixth formers Noah Hastings and Isabella Crane at an all-school special program on April 28. Mr. Woodward’s visit was made possible by the Thalheimer Educator-in-Residence Program. Mr. Woodward has shared in two Pulitzer Prizes, first in 1973 for the coverage of the Watergate scandal with Carl Bernstein, and second in 2002 as the lead reporter for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has authored or co-authored 17 books, all of which have been national non-fiction best sellers.
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony The newest inductees to the Choate Rosemary Hall Athletics Hall of Fame are Olympians Julie Chu ’01, Hilary Knight ’07, Kim Insalaco Legg ’99, Josephine Pucci ’09, and Phoebe Staenz ’14, the 1997 Boys Crew Team, Jeffrey “Woody” Laikind ’53, and Coach William “Tom” Generous. The ceremony will take place during Reunion Weekend on Friday, May 15.
2015 Alumni Award Recipients Peter C. Goldmark, Jr. ’58 and Margaret “Peggy” Brim Bewkes ’69 were the recipients of 2015 Choate Rosemary Hall Alumni Awards presented during an all-School meeting on Wednesday, April 22. On his watch as chair of the Choate Rosemary Hall Board of Trustees, Peter witnessed the newly merged Choate Rosemary Hall and the first co-ed graduation in 1978. The former New York State budget director was credited with rescuing both the state and New York City from the brink of financial collapse in the mid-1970s. He has also made significant contributions in the non-profit world as director of the Environmental Defense Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Peggy has made significant contributions in writing, directing, and producing television and film, which include an Emmy Award and Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Television Documentary, and has continued her longstanding and noteworthy commitment to various philanthropic endeavors. Honorees are pictured above, with Dr. Alex Curtis and Patrick McCurdy ’98, Alumni Association President.
Economics Challenge Competition Choate’s Economics Challenge team competed at the state level in March. Fifth formers Jade Goldstein of Rutherford, N.J., Ryan Dent of Madison, Conn., Dominique Williams of Madison, Conn., and Albert Zhang of Acton, Mass., were the highest scorers and became state champions. The team competed in the National Semi-Finals on April 14 against the champions from all the other states. The top four teams in the National Semi-Finals will move on to the National Finals in New York City in May.