NEWSOFTHECLASSES A new racing shell made in Connecticut and rowed by a high school crew in Virginia has been named in honor of Brooksie Koopman. An eight-oared shell, “The Brooksie Koopman,” made by Vespoli USA of New Haven, is the newest addition to the fleet of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. It was named in honor of Brooksie to recognize her five-year campaign to improve and maintain the school’s boathouse, the Dee Campbell Rowing Center. Brooksie was an active volunteer for the rowing program’s booster club when her daughter, Tressa, and two sons, Richard and George, rowed for T.C. Williams from 2001 to 2009. In 2004, concerned that the school’s 18-year-old boathouse was showing signs of wear and tear, she took on the task of maintaining and improving the boathouse and dock. As chief advocate for the rowing center, she worked with the public school system on everything from general maintenance to major repair and replacement needs, setting priorities for capital projects and helping shepherd them through the city budget process. Her involvement with the facility and its needs were so complete that the coaches had the catchphrase “Go ask Brooksie!” inscribed on the stern behind the coxswain’s seat of the new shell. In a dedication ceremony at the rowing center March 27, members of the Alexandria Crew Boosters Club praised Brooksie’s energy, enthusiasm and efficiency. SUMMER 2 0 1 0
“One of the most remarkable contributions that Brooksie has made to this program,” said Boosters Club President Dan Shipp, “is to make us all proud, to give us a sense of ownership in one of the finest facilities for rowing anywhere in the country.” Before christening the new shell with a carafe of Potomac River water, Brooksie noted that the Brooks family settled in Timbuctoo, Calif., during the Gold Rush. “My wish for this boat, and for all the people who row in it, is another gold rush,” she said. “Lots of gold.” From Helen Carey LaFaive: All is well here. Marcy loves her job as music supervisor for BLT Music. She puts together the music for movie trailers as well as other things about which I have no clue. She has a new apartment and loves Los Angeles and the opportunities she has there. Austin is still working at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in Boston. He spent a week in Budapest for them. We rented a wonderful house near the water in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to celebrate Austin’s 30th there with Austin, Nora, Marcy, a friend of Marcy’s from Emerson, Doug and me. Doug and I are going to Provence for three weeks in mid-June to check out growing lavender, explore the little villages and sit in the sun by our little rental cottage on a farm. Austin and Nora will join us for a week. Marcy has commitments elsewhere, unfortunately. The trip is a present to myself for my 60th, a little early. I would like to
see our farmland every June in bloom with lavender, so why not go where it will be at the height of its bloom in France? We have had to find someone to take care of our 37 laying chickens while we are gone. Our class is turning or has turned 60 this year, and yet everyone keeps commenting on how much younger we are than our mothers were at this age! It’s all in your attitude, and I think the Oxford Class of 1968 has a great one! Hope we can continue to gather each year or more. Always let me know when you are in the area. Happy 60th birthday you all. H. KINGSWOOD 1970 Allan Singer has worked in the mental health profession for more than 35 years, including 27 years in private psychotherapy practice in Boston. Allan lives with his life partner, Dr. Emil Horowitz, and their two puppies
Alison Heath Rusczyk ’73 with her husband, John, on their wedding day
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– a brother and sister named Simon and Bailey. Allan is a contributing author for three books and has facilitated personal growth workshops nationally and internationally. OXFORD 1973 Alison Heath Rusczyk writes, “I am remarried as of May 30, 2009. I have been working at the University of Hartford in the Mortensen Library for the past five years as a coordinator in the circulation department. Love it so much. Both my boys, Jared, 25, and Heath, 22, are finishing up criminal justice degrees here and will graduate this May. My husband, John, is director of agricultural training in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for Development Relief International and works three months on and two weeks off. We live in Newington.”
his undergraduate degree, he served as an air traffic control officer in the U.S. Air Force and subsequently served in the Connecticut Air National Guard as a public affairs officer. Michael has held a number of positions with financial institutions. Prior to joining Simsbury Bank, he was senior vice president and senior commercial loan officer with Putnam Bank; a vice president with The Savings Institute Bank and Trust Co.; and a principal of Woodstock Financial Group LLC. Michael also held several management positions with Fleet Bank. In 2000, he was awarded a certified financial planner license. Michael is serving his third term in the Connecticut State Assembly as a representative of the 50th Assembly district. He is married with two children, ages 12 and 15.
K-O 1979 Small world department: Dan Pope recently ran into Mike Gustafson at a wine-tasting convention in Lima, Peru. Bill Demarest writes, “My employer, ACS, was bought by Xerox in February. I am continuing my position as a senior financial analyst for Xerox’s information technology outsourcing division. Life continues to be wonderful in sunny Orlando!” Jennifer Juros Googins writes from Glastonbury, “I am enjoying reconnecting with my classmates both at the reunion in May as well as on Facebook!”
K-O history and math teacher Dick Dale, husband of Martha Simons Dale, was re-elected overwhelmingly to the Bloomfield, Conn., board of education last November. Dick garnered more votes than any other candidate in the election. K-O 1976 The Hartford Business Journal recently reported that Michael Alberts has been named vice president and commercial relationship manager at Simsbury Bank. Michael holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Connecticut, including a master’s degree in business administration. After receiving
It was Wyverns galore at the 50th birthday party of Brad Hoffman ’78: (front row) Jay Botwick ’76, Brad, Howard Grody ’78, Joe Gianni ’78, K-O creative arts teacher Marcos Carreras, Jim Healey ’78; (middle row) Chuck Bellingrath ’78; (back row) K-O Head of School Dennis Bisgaard, Keith Wolff ’91, Mary Ann Pearson Gianni ’81, Elizabeth Fahy Bellingrath ’78, Pamela Dowling ’78, Monica Bisgaard, Hobey Hyde ’58, Debby Hyde ’68 and Lisa Carreras.
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